In many cases, the primary Alzheimer’s caregivers are family members close to the person with Alzheimer’s. Whether the individual with Alzheimer’s is an older parent or the wife or husband, it will become increasingly apparent that changes are taking place.
That will make the person with Alzheimer’s dependency, new emotional ground for you to navigate. Understanding and preparing for this issue will help everyone concerned learn to cope. There will be times when frustration, confusion, or even anger appear. Find ways to vent away from the person you have in your care.
It is essential in long-term care that practical issues take the forefront. So it follows that one of the groundworks for long-term care will be establishing a solid routine for the person with Alzheimer’s. Setting regular meal times, bath times, times for Alzheimer’s medication, and time for other enjoyable activities help both the person with Alzheimer’s and the Alzheimer’s caregiver. It will provide a mechanism for coping with the highly emotional aspect of a long-term illness.
Creating a calm, safe, and, if needed, quiet environment can help the person with Alzheimer’s focus a little better and encourages cooperation. It will become evident that some tasks are becoming difficult to perform. For example, when they are tying their shoes. The Alzheimer’s caregiver can look for a solution and substitute perhaps some slip-on shoes. Even issues such as having comfortable clothes can sometimes help ease a situation.
The Alzheimer’s caregiver will want to project a cheerful attitude as much as possible. As this disease progresses, the person with Alzheimer’s will often become frustrated with their inability to perform even simple tasks. Everyone benefits if the person with Alzheimer’s feels that there is no pressure or rush. They are in a safe environment and treated with care and dignity.
People with Alzheimer’s may not be aware of their behavior or the difficulties it causes caregivers. They will certainly pick up on hearing negative remarks and understand that they are causing problems. It will only add to their anger and frustration at having failed in some way. Your objective is to keep them happy.
When an Alzheimer’s caregiver needs to let out some frustration, it is best to seek out good friends and perhaps people in similar situations. People that can understand and give them the emotional and practical support they need.
It is vitally important that whoever is the primary caregiver take a break. When they start to feel that matters are taking a toll on their emotional or physical health. Making it possible for the Alzheimer’s caregiver can step away for a while. It will require finding suitable people who can step in from time to time.
Search out local support groups, and there are increasingly more of them. It will help the Alzheimer’s caregivers voice their frustrations and anger in a comfortable environment. Being with others that truly understand what they are going through.
Another source of support and help will be the family doctor. Make the physician aware of the particular circumstances you are facing. They will be in a better position to monitor your health and possibly direct you to other avenues of support.
Ultimately there can be no hard and fast rules that apply because it will be different for everybody. Everyone’s circumstances will vary. And it is good to keep that in mind. It is a loving gesture to be ready to care for someone who has a long-term illness. Hopefully, with insight, care, and planning, the Alzheimer’s caregiver will find the best way to cope with their unique circumstance.