Mother’s Day is just around the corner. If you have a friend or family member who is an Alzheimer’s disease (AD) caregiver, you may be looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift this year.
AD caregiving is a major job and according to a recent poll, nearly one third of all women who are full time primary caregivers are simultaneously caring for their own children as well as their elderly parents.
Middle aged women who provide care for their own kids as well as providing care for a loved one with AD are at high risk for stress induced illnesses later in life-including Alzheimer’s disease.
Here are some ideas for perfect Mother’s Day gifts caregiving moms:
•The gift of your time-provide respite care to give mom an hour, a day or even a week off.
•Hire a professional respite caregiver or arrange for regular visits to an Adult Day Center for your family member with AD to give mom a much needed break.
•Research caregiver support groups in your community and help mom get connected with others to share experiences and get support for caregiving. Participating in support groups is a proven method of reducing overall stress for most caregivers. CLICK HERE to find support groups in your local area on the Alzheimer’s Association’s website.
•Find other online resources such as Alzheimer’s Universe to provide education for AD caregivers-CLICK HERE to join our 25 lesson course for AD caregivers.
Flowers and gifts are nice thoughts for Mother’s Day, but the gift of your time to help mom get a much deserved break is invaluable.
