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.
But not all people are so good at self-care. Many people have spent a lifetime of putting others’ needs before their own. They may pride themselves on doing everything themselves and have difficulties asking others for help, even with minor tasks. Or they may think that no one else will do anything as well as they can.
Now that your loved one has Alzheimer’s, such sentiments may only interfere with your ability to provide good care. Knowing as much as you can about the disease and getting the support you need will not only help you cope with the rigors of caring for your loved one; it may also impact your ability to keep your loved one at home. According to the long-running New York University Spouse-Caregiver Intervention Study, caregivers who were given in-depth education, counseling, and support were less likely to place their loved ones in a nursing home than those in the control group who did not receive the intensive support.
In the first year after the study began, eleven caregivers in the treatment group placed their spouses in a nursing home compared to twenty-four caregivers in the control group without the added help. In the long run, caregivers who got the extra assistance were able to keep their loved ones at home an average of 329 days longer than those who did not receive the extra support. Clearly, everyone benefits from the efforts of a savvy caregiver.
One of the good things about getting diagnosed in the early stages of Alzheimer’s is that everyone, including the patient, the caregiver, and family members not involved in the day-to-day caregiving, can start to prepare themselves for the challenges ahead before they land at your doorstep. Here are some things that a smart caregiver can do.