Former Governor Martin Schreiber Opens Up about His Alzheimer’s Caregiving Journey in a New Book

Former Wisconsin Governor Martin Schreiber is using his platform to share the emotional and physical challenges of being a caregiver. Schreiber’s personal experience surrounds his time of caring for his wife, Elaine, who battled Alzheimer’s disease. He joined Pat Kreitlow, host of UpNorthNews Radio, to discuss what he learned about the condition, caregiving, and why he wrote a book about it. 

Asking for assistance is not a sign of giving up, but an act of courage.

Schreiber openly describes the profound emotional toll caregiving can take on the person in that role. He compares it to a form of grief that ebbs and flows with feelings of anxiety, frustration, and even guilt. 

“It’s why it is so important for caregivers to seek help,” Schreiber explains. “Asking for assistance is not a sign of giving up, but an act of courage. If we truly love our loved one, we have to be smart about it and take care of ourselves, emotionally and physically, so that we can best care for them.”

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LISTEN to the podcast of the interview here:

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He reflects on his own journey with Elaine and notes the challenges to let go of the person his wife once was in order to embrace the person she became due to Alzheimer’s. But he found moments of connection, too. One example he shares is when Elaine expressed her growing love for him in a way that transcended her memory loss.

Now hoping to offer comfort and advice to new caregivers, Schreiber’s book comes with a message to focus on living in the moment with your loved one. 

“Providing emotional support despite the difficult changes can be hard, but it’s important,” Schreiber says. “The best we can do is try our best. That’s all anyone can ask for, really.”

Schreiber’s continuing commitment to spreading awareness about Alzheimer’s caregiving is offering hope and practical advice to anyone navigating a similar journey.

Learn more about his story here.