Caring for an older loved one can become tedious, monotonous and dull. And the everyday mundane tasks can take a toll on a caregiver’s emotional, mental and physical health. Boredom can make you feel sad, tired, hopeless and irritable. These can be caused by a decrease in mental stimulation or a lack of control over your daily life. Boredom is a warning sign, telling us that something is wrong.
"Promise me I can stay in my own home until I die."
It’s a common request that caregivers hear, and it is hard to say no to that request. But it often is even harder to honor it.
Caregiving includes a series of transitions. As the physical, cognitive and behavioral needs of our loved one increase, so do our caregiving responsibilities. Just as life has changed for our loved one, it has also changed for us.
We started out enthusiastically doing caregiving activities that were not previously our responsibility. Shopping, preparing meals or accompanying our loved one to medical appointments; this was all novel and easy to fit into our schedule.
We either love them or hate them, but whatever your stance is on New Year’s resolutions, there is something to say about moving into a new year. It provides us with a clean slate and a chance to reflect on what went well, what didn’t and how we can improve next year. Resolutions can provide direction, clarity and optimism. They can be seen as a set of goals to help you plan for the upcoming year.
A popular holiday song starts “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” but is it really? For many caregivers, the holidays are a time of increased stress and overwhelming challenge. Aside from our usual day-to-day responsibilities of work, family and caregiving, we now have the added demands of the merriest and brightest season. Many caregivers just want the whole thing to be done with.
Something’s gotta give! How can we have more joy and fewer upsets this season?
Here are six ideas to help you enjoy the holidays.
November is National Caregiver’s Month and National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month; a month to show support and recognize the everyday efforts of those caring for a loved one and for those whose lives are affected by Alzheimer’s Disease. Thank you.
“If you have met one person with dementia, then you have met one person with dementia.”
— Professor Tom Kitwood, University of Bradford, United Kingdom – Person-Centered Dementia Care
Dementia may mask the unique characteristics, abilities, interests, preferences and needs of a person, but it can never remove them completely. A person living with dementia does not cease to be the person they once were.
Four things to know about dementia:
FACT: Those caring for a loved one with dementia contribute greatly to the quality of the life of their loved one, but serious consequences can be created for the caregiver due to the physical, mental, emotional and financial burdens caregiving creates.
“I matter. My life matters. My feelings matter. I am doing powerful, important work for my loved one — but I still matter.” — Cindy Laverty
Some caregivers find their life purpose in caregiving. However, many caregivers accept the caregiver role out of a sense of duty, loyalty and love. Caregiving is not what brings purpose to their life, and that is fine.
The mental, physical and financial burdens of caregiving create a high risk for caregiver burnout.