Caring for somebody diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is challenging. It’s going to be difficult, right from the start. However, in many cases, family and friends are the ones who step up to provide some form of elder care to that person.
Often, it’s because the earliest signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are considered relatively ‘mild.’ They tend to consist mostly of memory related challenges. The individual may struggle to remember where they put the keys, what they were doing, or conversations they had with somebody just a few hours ago.
In time, however, the progression of the disease will build. The challenges will become intense. That means supporting somebody with Alzheimer’s -whether it’s your mother, father, grandparent, spouse, or somebody else- might become overwhelming.
When you’re providing some type of elder care to another individual who has Alzheimer’s, you also need support yourself. Many people try to do this alone, or feel like they have no other choice, but there are options to consider. Most importantly, if you don’t take care of yourself, if you don’t get the right level of support for you, there may come a time when you can no longer offer anything to that senior with Alzheimer’s.
How do you find support for yourself?
First, set limits on what you will do and how often you will do it. Limits on your time and your emotions are important. If you don’t set limits on your time, you will likely find yourself stopping by to visit with your mother or other loved one more and more often.
As the disease progresses, you will discover that memory loss increases as will certain health issues, too. This senior may struggle to perform a variety of tasks, meaning you will have to do those things for them.
Emotionally, watching somebody you love go through the various stages of Alzheimer’s is difficult enough, but when you have to bear the brunt of their confusion, verbal or physical aggressive outbursts, and more, you may feel like giving up yourself.
That’s why you need to set limits. Limit how many hours or how many days a week you’ll stop by and support them. Limit how much verbal or physical abuse you’re willing to accept. No one should accept any, but mishaps and surprise incidences can happen, so there is some grace here.
Second, find a support group. There are plenty of support groups for people who have loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other forms of Dementia. Join one of these groups.
Meet with people who have gone through (or are going through) the very same things you’re going through now. Listen to what they have to say. Offer your own advice and counsel as that could help you just as much as it can help them.
Third, talk about in-home care. Once you set limits on your time and begin surrounding yourself with others who have gone through the same thing as you’re going through now, you’ll begin to recognize the value of in-home care. Talk about it as soon as possible, especially with the senior who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
If you or an aging loved one are considering in-home care in Lincoln, NE please contact the caring staff at AmanaCare today. Call (402) 440-5878
AmanaCare Provides Senior Home Care Services in Lincoln, Kearney, Grand Island, North Platte, Hastings, Omaha, Columbus, Broken Bow, Scottsbluff, Norfolk and surrounding areas.
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