Alzheimers Care Giving While Maintaining Your Own Health

Just for a moment I want you to imagine that you are coming out of a very deep sleep. If you have ever had surgery try to remember the way you felt as you were trying to make sense of things as you awoke. As you imagine or remember this sensation do you find yourself wondering if it is morning or night? Are you trying to remember where you are? Do you have a startle reaction and think for a moment that you are late for work or forgot to pick up your children at school? I have had that upsetting feeling if I wake up in the middle of the night or even after a nap. Now imagine that same fog every moment of your life.......

So many care givers find themselves frustrated with an Alzheimer's sufferer. They may say things like "He just doesn't seem to care if I am with him or not" or "He doesn't enjoy doing anything any more." I know that it is so hard to accept the changes in your loved one and know that this is going to be your reality. If you can remind yourself that the behaviors are organic it will help. The plaque is building up and spreading over the surface of the brain just as a grassfire moves across a dry field. As it covers more areas your loved falls deeper into that fog. Alzheimer's disease doesn't show up like a broken one or a surgical scar but the effects are just as real.

When the things they say or do cause you to feel angry or sad do you best to remember that it is the disease...not your loved one. That's when it is time for some care giver TLC.

Care giver burnout is a very real occurrence. If you are caring for someone you must include your own needs each day. Your health may decline at a faster rate than the person you are caring for if your dietary, emotional and physical needs are not met. Skipping your checkups with Dr.s is not an option.

You may be asking "How am I supposed to do all of this all by myself?" The answer is simple. You can't do it all alone. The first step to healthy care giving is accepting the fact that you have limitations. Every human being does. You can only stay awake, maintain your health and keep up with the demands for a limited amount of time. When you reach your limit you may find yourself suffering from care giver burnout. You may have trouble concentrating, experience nervous tension, and you may find it difficult to fight off resentment toward your loved one or others in your family that you feel should be assisting you.

Reach out. Call upon your family, friends, church and community organizations. Your local hospitals will have information regarding community resources. This information can usually be found by contacting the Social Services Department. Another good resource is the Alzheimer's Association. By taking care of your health you will, in turn be a better care giver.

Deborah Uetz

Author of Into the Mist, When Someone You Love Has Alzheimer's Disease

Deborah Uetz
Author of Into the Mist, When Someone You Love Has Alzheimer's Disease

---

If Using The Stairs Has Become A Daily Struggle, A Stair lift Could Change Your Life

Using stairs is an everyday nightmare for many people. As... Read More

Second Hand Stair Lifts

Buying second hand stair lifts is a viable and cost... Read More

Caregiving Across The Miles?Tips for Successful Long Distance Caregiving

Caring for a parent or a loved one is a... Read More

What Colour was Your Great-grandmothers Hair?

I've just made another Photoshop video. This one is about... Read More

5 Myths You Should Know Before Choosing Elder Care

Myths associated with selecting quality nursing home care suggest quick... Read More

Honey, Where Are The Car Keys?

Q: My mother is always losing, hiding and hoarding things,... Read More

Mom Wont Participate!

Q: Six months ago we placed my mother in an... Read More

Arizona Assisted Living Homes -- The Alternative to High Priced Senior Care

The cost of skilled nursing care is slowly rising. Currently,... Read More

Strategies on Paying for Nursing Home Care and Medicaid

The decision to place your loved one into a nursing... Read More

Baby Boomers: Will They Be Able to Afford Their Parents?

Do you worry about whether your aging parents have their... Read More

Local Businesses Serving Seniors Prove Commitment to Quality Care

Good news! You no longer have to risk chance when... Read More

The Golden Years

1) What does Adrian Mitchell say we do to people... Read More

Prevent or Delay Alzheimers Disease

Argh! Where are my glasses? I put them down .... Read More

Board and Care Homes ? What Are They?

Board and Care homes (also known as RCFE's - Residential... Read More

Advocate For Senior Citizens ? Protecting Against Abuse and Fraud

Ruth is 87 years old this year and has been... Read More

How To Find Affordable Senior Housing

A few years ago Miranda M. became a widow. After... Read More

Solitary Confinement -- for Life

Sixty-five year old Arthur Jones served a self-imposed life sentence... Read More

Skilled Nursing Homes - What Are They?

A skilled nursing home is a medical facility providing services... Read More

Arizona Assisted Living: Resident Rights

According to the Arizona Administrative Code (R9-10-710), those who reside... Read More

Senior Living: 5 Ways to Help Reduce the Risk of Falling

Every year we hear stories of seniors falling, ending up... Read More

Stairlifts ? Take the Struggle Out of Climbing the Stairs

Buying a stairlift can have huge benefits for your quality... Read More

Hinged Rail Stair Lifts

If a door at the top or the bottom of... Read More

Assisted Living Facilities ? What Are They?

Assisted Living facilities are generally for person's 60 years of... Read More

The Best Investment You Can Make Right Now: Long Term Care Insurance

Don't think you need it? Consider this: a full 50%... Read More

What About Tennesse Dept. of Human Services Abuse of the Elderly and Their Families?

PART I: Physical Abuse of the Elderly vs. Tennessee DHS... Read More