Well Spouse Association Providing Support Groups for Caregivers

Betty___, a handsome woman in her retiring years looked forward to rewarding period in her golden years,until tragedy struck. Her husband Ron, a faithful companion for over fifty years, was involved in a serious accident, whilst riding his bicycle along the roads. Ron, an avid bicyclist and a careful one, was well known in the sport, but a careless driver ended his participation in his favorite sport.

After a long period in the hospital Ron returned home a living vegetable – he couldn’t function like any normal human, but he only sat mutely on an armchair, and stared into space. Betty took upon herself to feed, dress and attend to his bodily functions, as she didn’t want to put him in a special institution. But it worked its toil to her strength and on the couple’s savings, even though they had a bit of help from their children and caring neighbors, as well as the community nurse who came twice a week to check on Ron’s medical condition and to give him a needed sponge bath.

An estimated twenty million Americans care for a chronically ill spouse – and the demands for this blessed work have left many feeling overwhelmed and alone. According to statistics nearly one out of four household is involved in providing care for a person with a disability or chronic illness. As the population grows or ages many people find themselves looking after their parents or other family members who depend upon them for assistance. 

In this day and age illness and accidents attack without any warning and it can happen to anyone. No two people on this earth are living in the same condition and no illness or accident exacts the same toll. Alzheimer syndrome is different form multiple sclerosis, a heart condition is different from various forms of cancer, and stroke is different from a debilitating accident. But all well-meaning spouses face similar problems grief, deep guilt and above a financial threat whether they are full time caregiver or whether their partners are only suffering a moderately disabling illness or accident.