Skip to main content

Regaining Balance When You Are an Alzheimer's Caregiver

Caring for a family member who has Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia can be a rewarding role. You have an opportunity to provide hands-on care and support for someone you love. Taking them to physician appointments allows you to share changes and concerns, and seek solutions for managing symptoms. Cooking meals for them helps you ensure they are eating a well-balanced diet. Spending this time together is a way for the two of you to stay connected.


As the demands of caregiving increase, however, you may find your own health declining. Headaches, digestive issues, and insomnia are just a few medical issues caregivers report.

Caregivers often begin to doubt whether they are doing a good job caring for their loved one or not. They second-guess themselves and worry about every small issue that comes up. It’s a situation that can increase stress levels and leave the caregiver feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted.

If this situation sounds familiar, you may be on the cusp of caregiver burnout. It’s a serious issue that can lead to a health crisis for the caregiver. Taking steps to regain a healthy sense of balance is essential.

Restoring Balance While Caring For a Senior with Alzheimer’s

1. Schedule a few days away

This might be tough for a dedicated caregiver to do, but it is essential. Ask another family member or trusted friend to stay with your senior loved one for a day or two so you can take a break. Remind yourself that it will help you be a better caregiver if you get away for a few days.

If you don’t have anyone who is able to stay with your loved one while you are gone, take advantage of a short-term respite stay at a local assisted living community. Most are affordably priced. Communities with a dedicated memory care neighborhood are an ideal choice. Your family member will receive care and support from experts, while you relax and tend to your own health and well-being.

Utilizing respite also has another benefit. It allows you to evaluate how well your family member does at a memory care community. This type of trial stay may give you peace of mind that if the day comes when you can no longer meet your family members needs at home, there is a place you can turn to.

2. Find avenues for support

Family members often feel a strong sense of duty when it comes to taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s. Even when others offer to help, a caregiver may decline thinking no one else can meet the senior’s needs like they can. Our first tip is to accept the idea that you can’t do it all on your own. While you may know your loved one best, if you experience a medical emergency, where does that leave the senior?

Take time or ask a friend to help you find local senior care options. Adult day programs, respite care in a memory care neighborhood at an assisted living community, or a few hours of in-home care from an agency are good options to consider. Your church or synagogue may also have a friendly visitor program with volunteers who sit with homebound seniors for a few hours to give the caregiver a break.

3. Commit to accepting help regularly

Commit to yourself that you will accept help on a regular basis. If cost is an issue, contact the local agency on aging. They often know of local and federal programs to assist.

Having a few hours of week to yourself can allow you to practice the self-care you need to remain healthy. Enjoy a few laughs over lunch with a friend. Spend time taking an art class at a local coffee house. Plant and care for an herb garden. Spending time nurturing your health will make you a better and more empathetic caregiver.

A Continuum of Care at Sunrise Senior Living

At Sunrise communities, we recognize the importance of the individual. Each of our residents has a unique plan of care with goals based on their health status, abilities, and wishes. Because we offer a continuum of care at many of our communities, families can rest assured their loved one will receive the right type and amount of support.

The best way to learn more is by visiting a Sunrise community in person. Our experienced team members will help you explore your options and find a solution that best meets your loved one’s needs. Call us at 888-434-4648 to set up a time to stop by!




from Sunrise Senior Living Blog /blog/december-2019/regaining-balance-when-you-are-an-alzheimers-caregiver.aspx?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication
via IFTTT
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dads and Pops: Your Good Health Matters to Us 

Did you know  June is  Men’s Health Month  and Father’s Day anchors Men’s Health Week ?   Celebrate dad on Father’s Day and thank him for all he  has  done, but  also  make sure to seize an opportunity sometime this month to have a conversation with him about his health. This awareness campaign has the critical purpose of informing men   that avoiding preventive healthcare puts them at real and serious risk of  contracting a disease or  acquiring  a chronic condition.   Studies consistently  show the numbers go against men , particularly as they advance into their senior years.   Even with dramatic advances in diagnosis and treatment over the past 100 years, men’s life expectancy still lags significantly behind women. According to  Harvard Health ,  the gap is widening. In 1900, the life expectancy for women was 48.3 years vs. 46.3 for men. In 2017, it was 81.1 years for women vs. 76.1 for men. Harvard...
Post a Comment
Read more

Memorize These Six Signs of a Scam

An 88-year-old woman is one of the latest victims of the sweepstakes scam. She lost $160,000 in order to get the millions the scammer claimed she’d won through the Publishers Clearing House. She’s not alone. This scam has been around for years and has affected tens of thousands. Be aware of the six signs of a scam to avoid losing money. The Caller Insists You Not Tell Anyone In a scam, the caller will insist that you cannot tell anyone. This is more likely to happen with the grandparent scam. The caller will say that the grandchild’s parents cannot know. Secrecy is important to the “grandchild.” If your parents are told not to tell anyone, it’s very likely a scam. Your parents should immediately report the scam to local authorities or the FTC at 1-877-382-4357. The Contact Arrives Out of the Blue A scam is going to start with a random call, email, or unsolicited mailer. Your parents didn’t enter a contest. It could be a scammer posing as a police officer, IRS representative, or ...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to prepare for eldercare medical emergencies

Older adults are fragile and that is often accompanied by a decline in mobility. This makes them more vulnerable to medical emergencies such as a fall or sudden illness. As these health crises are unexpected and the elderly cannot always take prompt action, you need to be prepared. This will result in saving a lot of crucial moments and getting on-time care for the older adult. We have curated pointers that will give you an insight on how to carefully prepare for the eldercare emergencies and ensure the wellbeing of your elderly.   Doctor on Call  As you begin preparing for the eldercare emergencies, you must assemble a list of doctors and home nursing services that will be available 24×7 to provide emergency facilities. The list will come handy and will result in taking quick action. Samvedna Senior Care offers doctor visits at home for senior citizens in times of emergency. The team of skilled doctors is available round the clock to provide special assistance. The...
Post a Comment
Read more