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How to Cope - A Resource for Alzheimer Caregivers

As a caregiver to someone with Alzheimer's, I know how easy it is to lose sight of your own needs and to feel overwhelmed. And that it's easy to get frustrated or just plain tired! To "take care of myself", relieve my stress, and accept fate, I try the ideas below and they make things better.

Take a break.

Taking care of someone with Alzheimer's is a full time job. Fuller than most jobs. It is demanding of all your time and focus making sure the patient is entertained, out of danger, and being cared for and sometimes the Alzheimer's patient isn't helpful. Sometimes they try you and your patience and you need ways to cope. While I haven't had any professional training, I have lived it for over a year and have come up with a few ideas of my own. Most important thing to remember is that only the caregiver can judge how long someone with Alzheimer's can tolerate certain things so the times used in this article are merely suggestions. Please consult a physician before trying any of the ideas given here.

Shower - think about it for  a minute. The shower is the one place that you don't usually don’t get interrupted. The water drowns out the television, people, and questions.

Use the  restroom - You can still hear what's going on, but it gives you a chance to get away. Leave a magazine or book in the closet or cupboard and just take a 10 minute break.

Walk- Set up activities that will hold the person's attention (read 10 Activities for Alzheimer's Patients for ideas) and go for a 10 minute walk. Or a 5 minute walk around the building if that is all you can do. The fresh QUIET air will revive you.

Reach out to support groups

Live - Many communities offer support groups. Check your local newspaper for dates. Meeting people who are going through the same thing as yourself is the best medicine for the caregiver. Sharing with others can provide you with a unique opportunity to vent to people who know exactly what you are going through. It's hard to explain to someone who isn't living with Alzheimer's, especially since many Alzheimer's patients are good at "faking" it with those who aren't around them very often.

Online - If there isn't a local support group or you prefer to get support online, there is a variety of websites to choose from. Some of these are listed below with a short description:
http://alzonline.phhp.ufl.edu/ This site has some good resources for caregivers and those dealing with Alzheimer's like tip sheets on a variety of topics centered around Alzheimer's. The message boards are easy to use and have a lot of helpful tips first hand from people just like you.

http://www.alz.org/ Contains resources tailored to your location, your needs, and even your language! Message boards are plentiful here to get first hand information about others, but also to get the most accurate up to date information regarding Alzheimer's. In my opinion, this is the official Alzheimer's site.

http://www.mdjunction.com/alzheimers-disease This website has a lot of articles and message boards. The content is created mainly by the community of the website, so all information obtained from this site should be verified by a professional. Another thing you should know about this website is that it is not only about Alzheimer's. It covers a variety of diseases and illnesses.

Get the family involved

Ask for help from family and friends. Most people are probably willing to help but aren't sure how to. Just ask a trusted friend or family member to take the person out to eat or if they would like to come for a visit. This will give you a chance to do whatever you would like whether it is something around the house or away.

Hire a sitter

If you can't find someone to help out, hire a sitter, or nurse if needed for a couple hours each day to get away and clear your mind.

Knowledge is Key

Researching the disease and learning as much as you possibly can about it, will help with some stressors. If you understand what is happening and that it isn't intentional, it will help a lot with patience and everyday interaction. The sites I listed above under support are a great place to start. Also your local library will most likely have quite a few books on this topic.

Know your limits

Keeping someone at home who has Alzheimer's is an honorable decision and in a lot of cases, the best option for the patient. However, there may come a time where keeping someone home isn't healthy for them or the caregiver. He or she may become violent or the behaviors may become too much to handle. This is okay. Admitting this is the most courageous step someone can take. Some people benefit from being in a care facility and are happy with the consistent schedule and interaction. Only you know how much you can handle.

In conclusion, knowing the disease, your limits and ways to deal with the stressors can help with the present situation. You need to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else. I hope this article will help.

Categorized: Alzheimer's

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• Top 10 Activities for Alzheimer's Patients
• Crossroads
• Said and Done
• All Gains End
• The Things I've Learned From Pat

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