If you have a friend or family member newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), you probably have a lot of questions regarding the dos and don’ts of caregiving. There hasn’t been a manual written, titled “Alzheimer’s Caregiving 101.” So just how should do you know what to do as a new caregiver?
You will most likely encounter a few bumps along the road when navigating your new title of family caregiver. It’s totally okay to feel afraid, overwhelmed, stressed out, depressed, frustrated and even down right angry at times. The key is to deal with the emotions as they surface. Gather all the information you can (particularly from those who have walked in your shoes) and get involved in a caregiver support group. There are online forums as well as face to face support groups in your community. Check out the Alzheimer’s Association to find a caregiver support group in your local geographic area.
That being said; keep in mind that by no means is being a caregiver for a loved one with AD all bad. There are certainly many days you will feel a deep sense of gratitude and accomplishment for being able to be there for the one you love when he/she needs you most. Here are some healthy tips from those who have been in the trenches of family caregiving and lived to tell about it!
•You won’t always know all the answers, reaching out for help is a good thing
•You don’t have to be there for your loved one 24/7
•Having a plan in place is a must for all family caregivers-this includes a schedule of daily care, emergency plan and a future plan for when care gets overwhelming
•You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your entire life for your loved one, being a bit selfish is okay
•Feeling loss of patience, fear and anger are normal emotions that many caregivers report
•Mistakes will be made along the way-it’s just part of the learning process
•Self-care is just as important as the care you give your loved one-if the captain doesn’t take time out to sleep, eat and enjoy life, it won’t be long until the entire ship will go down!
•It’s okay to ask for help anytime you feel you could benefit from having some time for yourself
•It’s normal for caregivers to feel trapped and then experience guilt at times
•Speaking up about your feelings will help you stay healthy in the long run
•Scheduling regular days off for self-care is a must for family caregivers
•There will be times you need to say no
•Don’t ignore your personal needs-including your social life
•Avoid feeling you have to do everything yourself, there is always a solution even if you can’t afford to pay for help-there are senior support services that offer respite care and support for free.
•Seeking out a spiritual path has been a lifesaver for many caregivers
As a family caregiver, there will no doubt be many things that come up over time that you cannot control. The one thing you can control, however, is how you respond and how well you take care of yourself during the span of time you are a caregiver-particularly if you are acting as a full time caregiver.
Learn more about Alzheimer’s disease by CLICKING HERE to sign up for our FREE online course today at alzu.org.
