Too bad. The world ain't ideal.

An Alzheimer care-giver in sorrier shape than her patient. I know one. And I suspect there are many others. Overworked. Beleaguered. Stretched thin. To the breaking point. Of course,  the societal emphasis is on the Alzheimer epidemic.  That it's a shame. That so many of us have to endure declining years ravaged by dementia. But the most devastating toll from Alzheimer’s, may be in the ranks of care-givers.  Many die before their patients. From stress-related maladies. One of my best friends is on the road to an early death. Or at the very least, a complete nervous breakdown. She’s in dire need of psychotherapy. But refuses it. She hasn’t seen a doctor in 13 years. Doesn’t recognize that she’s in deep trouble. In my ideal world, she would be compelled to go into treatment. For her own sake. But we don’t live in an ideal world. –Jim Broede