Taken correctly, medications can help make it easier for you to live with Alzheimer’s disease or any health condition for that matter. But taking medications of any kind should always be done with caution and under a doctor’s supervision.
Month: July 2017
Alzheimer’s: Caregivers Should Take Care of Themselves
Some people instinctively know how to be better caregivers. They know to read up on the disease, to make time for themselves, to seek help and support from every available resource. They do not burden themselves with guilt over taking time to exercise. They make sure to get enough sleep. And they continue making and keeping their own medical appointments, even as they take loved ones to theirs.
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Alzheimer’s: Depression in Caregivers
Although caregiving is not necessarily a cause of depression nor a guarantee that you will become depressed, it is not at all unusual for caregivers to become mild or moderately depressed. The fatigue, exhaustion, and demands associated with caregiving can leave even the most resilient person feeling sad.
Alzheimer’s: Physical and Emotional Toll on the Care Giver
THE PHYSICAL IMPACT
Imagine a job that had no vacations and no coffee breaks, a job where you worked alone most of the time and in which you worked twenty-four hours a day. Now imagine that the job gave you total and complete responsibility for the health, safety, and well-being of another person, someone you love and whose personality has morphed into someone you no longer recognize. It’s no wonder then, that caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s takes such a toll on the caregiver’s health.
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Alzheimer’s: Caregiver – Minimize Your Stress
When you’re in the throes of looking after a loved one with Alzheimer’s, it’s easy to overlook your own needs, especially if you’re also holding down a job, taking care of children, or tending to other relatives. But caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is one of the biggest challenges any person can ever undertake. In order to muster the strength and energy for it, you need to look after yourself, too.
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Alzheimer’s: Caregiver – Build Your Knowledge
Ignorance is not blissful when it comes to a disease like Alzheimer’s. The most important thing you can do is to get educated about the disease. The fact you’re reading this article shows that you are already making strides in that direction. Anticipating changes in your loved one’s symptoms, behaviors, and personality will prepare you to cope with these changes when they come.
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Alzheimer’s: Support Groups
Perhaps you never imagined yourself as the type of person to attend a support group to share your feelings with strangers. Or maybe you used to shudder at the idea of seeking out a social worker or psychological counseling. Maybe you hated to even borrow a cup of sugar from your neighbor. But if you’ve just learned that you have Alzheimer’s, you may start to rethink some of these preconceived notions about yourself. You may realize that you need more support from your friends and family than you ever dreamed you would. You may also find yourself tapping into community resources in a way you never did.
Alzheimer’s: Types of Support Groups
Not all support groups are the same, which is why it may take you some time to find one you are comfortable with and enjoy. Some are primarily educational and may feature guest speakers who discuss various aspects of the disease. Others focus on emotional support and offer participants the chance to speak. Some groups are lead by professional facilitators such as nurses or social workers, while others are lead by trained group members.
Alzheimer’s: Other Sources of Support
In these early stages, you may not be in dire need of outside support. But you should be aware that there are numerous services available to help you, when the time does come. Among them:
Alzheimer’s: Respite Care
Support groups aren’t the only source of assistance for people who are dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. Although you may still be in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and be quite functional, there may come a time when your needs—or that of your caregiver—are much greater.