To escape the daily routine of caregiving and take breaks, Mr. Eberle travels to Ticino.

To escape the daily care routine and take breaks, Mr. Eberle travels to Ticino alone or with his partner who suffers from dementia.

Mr. Eberle attends a support group for relatives; this social exchange is greatly appreciated.

Mr. Eberle very much appreciates both the social anonymity and the genuine exchange in the relatives' support group. This context enables him to communicate more openly and with less pretense than in his circle of acquaintances.

Mr. Eberle mentions that his partner does not blame him if she loses or misplaces something. For him, this is the basis of living together.

Mr. Eberle mentions that his partner does not blame him if she loses or misplaces something. For him, this is the basis of living together. It would not work otherwise.

The neighbors are informed about Mrs. Mathis' dementia. They are attentive, which helps a lot, says Mr. Eberle.

Both Mr. Eberle and Mrs. Mathis appreciate the goodwill of their neighbors. Since the neighbors are informed about Mrs. Mathis' dementia, they are attentive. That helps a lot, says Mr. Eberle.

Mr. Eberle and his partner, who suffers from dementia, have been receiving psychiatric support for several years. According to Mr. Eberle, this is helpful for the couple's relationship.

Mr. Eberle and his partner with dementia have been receiving psychiatric support for several years. This is helpful for the couple relationship in order to avoid hurting one another.

Safety precautions are needed, Mr. Eberle concludes.

Safety precautions are needed, Mr. Eberle concludes. Relatives cannot just allow anything to happen, even if they feel morally unsure about restricting their loved one’s autonomy. Mr. Eberle illustrates this with an example of the downside of not intervening that was presented by someone in his self-help group.

No one sees the work related to dementia care, says Mr. Eberle.

Because the limitations associated with dementia are not visible at first glance ("you don't notice anything"), no one sees the work involved in dementia care. Mr. Eberle could not openly communicate his situation as a relative. At the beginning, he also misjudged the severity of the disease, says Mr. Eberle.

Mrs Mathis' self-image is assaulted.

Mrs. Mathis' self-image is under attack. At work, she would have had a lot of responsibility and received recognition. That time is over, she says.

After Mrs. Mathis was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Mr. Eberle moved into a retirement flat with her.

Mr. Eberle says that he "hit the skids" after his partner was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. It became clear to him that they would have to reorganize their lives. He registered himself and his partner for a retirement apartment, a decision he would not have regretted.

His partner's dysfunctions are a test of patience for Mr. Eberle.

His partner's dysfunctions are a test of patience for Mr. Eberle. He has learned not to lose his patience or get angry anymore.

Mr. Eberle cannot fathom why he, as a relative, is rebuked in the psychiatric ward because of the hours when he tries to visit.

Mr. Eberle cannot fathom why he, as a relative who is experienced in dealing with his partner with dementia, is rebuked in the psychiatric ward because of the hours when he tries to visit.

Mr. Eberle will base the timing of when to transfer his partner to a home on when she becomes mentally absent.

Mr. Eberle bases the timing of the transfer to the home on the mental absence of his partner. For the time being, however, the couple can rely on his partner's daughters.