In 2018, then Hillsborough Mayor Tom Stevens began noticing changes in his wife, Debbie. She was becoming more forgetful, and showing other characteristics associated with the early stages of dementia.
For the next few years, and with the help of friends, Stevens was able to navigate his wife’s needs. But he knew the time was approaching when he could no longer safely and appropriately care for Debbie. Stevens knew from past experience that caring for his loved one — as well as himself — required planning.
“My first wife died of cancer, and so we had some years of caregiving in a different format, but still having to juggle the needs of someone who’s very ill at home,” he recalled. “They say one of the hardest things for caregivers, and I would agree, is taking care of yourself. I said, ‘I’ve been through this before. Life is too short. I’m going to make sure that I don’t burn myself out.’”…