Alzheimer's 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.