GB: So by
sharing your experience, you can
help other people who are going
through a similar thing.
MS: As in anything,
you get strength from other people
who have been through it. You learn
from other people. You're constantly
learning because no two days are
ever alike; and the disease is
constantly changing, so you have to
be flexible, to really live in the
moment and roll with it. I have
great respect for people who are
caregivers and who either do that in
an assisted living home, or who do
it in their own home. I think that
it is emotionally tough, tough work,
so I have great respect; and this is
why I wanted to do this interview
with your magazine. I think
caregivers are like teachers.
They're in there all the time
working, and are required to have
creativity, patience, emotional
strength, physical strength. They
have my utmost respect.
GB: One of the
first things I find caregivers doing
is kind of beating themselves up
over the things they can't do, what
they can't fix. I just look at them
and say, "You have more on your
plate and you handle more on a daily
basis than any major CEO of any
company I've ever met."
MS: Right. I think
it's important to continue lauding
people in that profession. Keep
trying to understand the person who
has Alzheimer's and to keep growing
with it. There are always great
lessons in all of this, so you keep
trying to learn, and you keep trying
to evolve, even if you're not the
primary caregiver.
GB: What are some
suggestions you have for caregivers?
MS: A lot of this
is just life's lessons. You have to
try and take care of yourself,
especially if you have to take care
of someone else. People who are
caregivers, who are on the
frontlines, are the experts. They
need to remember that they may not
necessarily have to speak to someone
else if what they are doing is
working well for them.
