Whether it’s your spouse, a parent, a sibling, or even a close friend, you want to step up and help them. You may not be certain how you can do that, but you will find a way. There are many family caregivers and friends acting as caregivers across the country today. Many of them have never done this type of work before, and when it comes to Alzheimer’s, it is going to be stressful.
The most important thing early on is to understand when you’re stressed, there’s a greater risk of you facing serious health issues, too. That’s why it’s important to manage stress, cope with it in a healthy, positive manner, and also recognize the value that elder care can offer you and that person with Alzheimer’s.
Below are three tips that can help you cope with the stress a little bit better and also provide more effective support and care for the person you love who is going through this difficult disease.
Tip #1: Find the best support alternatives.
You can continue acting as a family caregiver. You don’t have to give up, nor would you want to. However, when you’re taking on this incredible responsibility, and the stress that comes along with it, you need support.
Also, because most family caregivers have never done this type of work for somebody with Alzheimer’s, there might be a lot of things missed and overlooked. When you have an experienced Alzheimer’s care aide, hired through an agency, supporting this aging loved one, they will have the best strategies for those dealing with dementia.
Tip #2: Talk to those who’ve gone through this before.
There are numerous support groups for family members, friends, and others who have loved ones dealing with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Join support groups. Talk about your struggles, your frustrations, and even your doubts.
The more you talk, the more you will feel relief. Plus, you’ll discover, in time, that there’s a lot of great advice and information available, just waiting for you to hear through these outlets.
Tip #3: Understand the value of ‘me time.’
Before this loved one was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you were probably doing a variety of things. You might have been a single parent working a couple of jobs. Maybe you had hobbies, like playing tennis or golf with your friends. Perhaps you got together with a few friends for lunch once or twice a week.
While you’re a caregiver for an elderly person with Alzheimer’s, most likely you will have given up much of this.
Don’t sacrifice your personal time, even if you think it’s extraneous, to be a caregiver for somebody else. That will only ratchet up your stress levels and increase the risk of serious health complications for yourself as you get older.
Follow these tips and you just might experience a little less stress in your life while helping that senior with Alzheimer’s.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Care in Philadelphia, PA, please contact the caring staff at Better Care Home Health Services today at (267) 766-5218
Better Care Home Health Services is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Philadelphia, Germantown, Glenside, Elkins Park, Bryn Mawr, Roxborough, Wyncote, Broomall, Upper Darby, Yeadon, Lansdowne, Narberth, Wynnewood, Penn Wynne, Fairmount, Ardmore, Chestnut Hill, and the surrounding areas.
Better Care Home Health Services is a family-owned agency dedicated to providing excellent and comprehensive home health care to individuals and families of Philadelphia, Delaware, Montgomery and Bucks counties. We are honored that God has blessed us with the opportunity to positively impact and change people’s lives. It is our mission to ensure that we provide the very best of care to our clients.
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