Introduction
No matter what adversities we encounter, we can always grow spiritually. My spouse Julie was diagnosed at age 57 with Alzheimer’s. She has lived in memory care for the past 7 years. She is now in hospice. This is one of six blogs about what Julie needed from me as her caregiver and how her needs shaped my spiritual growth.
Part three: Julie needed me to support her in finding purpose and meaning.
Julie had had to retire from her work. But, once we had a diagnosis, she was “all in.”
She quickly became engaged with the Alzheimer’s Association. She helped make phone calls to those newly diagnosed to help them know that life would go on. She began speaking publicly, including the closing keynote at a gathering of 800 people and at various events nationally and internationally.
She helped form a choir for persons with the diagnosis and their caregivers. She participated in a day program that included singing in a choir, which performed in nursing homes.
When we needed to bring in additional outside help into our living space, I was told by the person that we hired that she liked supporting Julie, because Julie listened well to her and helped her resolve some of her own family issues.