If you scan the internet, there is a lot of information published about the sexual behavior of people with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia. Some of these articles talk about the changes that occur between sexual partners when one is the caregiver for the other. Again the focus seems to be on the behaviors of the partner with the dementia. But what about the caregiving partner? What do we know about the emotions and struggles of a caring partner who no longer can enjoy an intimate relationship with their loved one? How do they cope with this loss?
Talking about one’s sexual desires is difficult even without disease or disability. The challenge is even greater when one partner has memory loss and does not even recognize the intimacy of the relationship. Because I work with caregivers, this question arises when the relationship is husband-wife or life partner-partner. If you are a spousal or partner caregiver who has a partner diagnosed with any form of dementia, I need your help. Please complete the survey via link below. It is entirely anonymous. I will report findings here at some future date.
Thanks for your participation.
Counseling Notes 