5 Tips for Caregivers of Alzheimer’s Patients
Caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia can be very demanding and usually is something we’re not trained for. Too many caregivers don’t give themselves a break and wear themselves out.
As a caregiver, we need to learn to care for ourselves.
*Find time for yourself even if it’s just a walk around the neighborhood while hubby, a neighbor, sister, or children stay with Mom or Dad. Perhaps it’s an afternoon with your quilting group or book discussion group.
*Find time for your family, exclusive of your parent.
*Find daycare for your parent. Inquire at the local hospital, nearby nursing home, or senior center if there is daycare available. I found a local nursing home would take Alzheimer’s patients for a few hours.
*Find someone to come in to spend time with your parent. My neighbor, who had cared for her elderly aunt, would bring her handiwork and sit with my mom while I went shopping, ran errands, or took that walk.
*Find a support group. Here again, your local hospital, nursing home, or senior center usually knows of support group in the area. If there is nothing, or you can’t get out to meet with them, find an online discussion group like Caring for Elderly Family Members (http://groups.msn.com/CaringforElderlyFamilyMembers/ )
Tags: Alzheimers, Alzheimers+day+care, Alzheimers+Disease, Alzheimers+support+groups, dementia, support+groupsRelated Stories
POSTED IN: General, Inspiration-Encouragment, Online Resources, Personal Experiences, Support groups
2 opinions for 5 Tips for Caregivers of Alzheimer’s Patients
drytears
Aug 23, 2006 at 11:28 am
Good post,
It’s also helpful to remember or remind someone who may be watching them for the first time that they will not be recgonized, and you may even be mistaken for someone else.
When you leave someone with Alzheimers with someone else to sit with, give them directions as you would to anyone watching your kids. If they are having a bad day, or a new trouble has arised, tell them so they don’t become suprised or overwhelmed.
me
Aug 25, 2006 at 6:25 am
Thanks, “drytears”, for your suggestions for Alzheimer’s sitters. They should be very helpful for anyone who is helping a caregiver or who is watching the Alzheimer’s patient for short periods. Mary Emma
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