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All relationships change over time. But significant life transitions, such as retirement or ill health, can place an extra strain on them. Whether you have time to prepare for change or it’s unexpected, you can get help to cope.
An unexpected bonus from the disappointment of not having children has been that we have always made time for each other and for friends of all ages. Being connected to others is important regardless of whether they are blood related.
My uncle cared for his wife for over 12 years after she was diagnosed with dementia. For the first few years they continued to enjoy ballroom dancing but, as my aunt became less mobile, they were unable to join in with the dancing. However, for a while they continued to attend the sessions sitting at the side watching their friends dance, while enjoying drinks and refreshments. Eventually, due to my aunt's poor mobility, they had to stop attending the tea dances and lost touch with their friends to a degree.
My aunt passed away and my uncle found it difficult to adjust to being on his own at first but, after gentle persuasion from friends and relatives, he started going back to the tea dances. He has rekindled old friendships and is enjoying meeting new friends and he really loves the dancing, which of course helps to keep him fit as well. My uncle is 87.