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Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s

Being a caregiver can be deeply fulfilling, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. If you’re caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or related dementia, it’s crucial to remember that taking care of yourself is just as important as caring for your loved one. Here are some essential tips to help you manage stress and maintain your well-being:

1. Ask for Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out for help when you need it. Whether it’s asking family and friends to pitch in or contacting local services for additional care, support can make a big difference.
2. Nourish Your Body: Eating nutritious foods helps you stay healthy and energized. Aim for a balanced diet that supports your overall well-being.
3. Connect with Others: Join a caregiver support group, either online or in person. Sharing experiences with others in similar situations can provide emotional relief and practical advice, reducing feelings of isolation.
4. Take Regular Breaks: Even short breaks can be rejuvenating. Enjoy a relaxing cup of tea, take a walk, or catch up with a friend to give yourself a mental reset.
5. Engage in Hobbies: Make time for activities that bring you joy. Whether it’s reading, gardening, or crafting, staying connected to your interests helps balance the demands of caregiving.
6. Incorporate Exercise: Regular physical activity is vital. Consider activities like yoga, stretching, or walking to boost your mood and energy levels.
7. Practice Mindfulness: Meditation can be a powerful tool for reducing stress. It’s shown to help with anxiety, depression, and insomnia, offering a mental break from caregiving pressures.
8. Seek Professional Help: If stress and anxiety become overwhelming, don’t hesitate to consult with mental health professionals. Your doctor can help you explore options for support and treatment.

Remember, taking care of yourself is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. By prioritizing your well-being, you’ll be better equipped to provide the care your loved one needs.

Adapting to Loss

Experts say you should let yourself grieve in your own way and time. People have unique ways of expressing emotions. For example, some might express their feelings by doing things rather than talking about them. They may feel better going on a walk or swimming, or by doing something creative like writing or painting. For others, it may be more helpful to talk with family and friends about the person who’s gone, or with a counselor.

“Though people don’t often associate them with grief, laughing and smiling are also healthy responses to loss and can be protective,” explains Dr. George Bonanno, who studies how people cope with loss and trauma at Columbia University. He has found that people who express flexibility in their emotions often cope well with loss and are healthier over time.

“It’s not about whether you should express or suppress emotion, but that you can do this when the situation calls for it,” he says. For instance, a person with emotional flexibility can show positive feelings, like joy, when sharing a happy memory of the person they lost and then switch to expressing sadness or anger when recalling more negative memories, like an argument with that person.

Grief is a process of letting go and learning to accept and live with loss. The amount of time it takes to do this varies with each person. “Usually people experience a strong acute grief reaction when someone dies and at the same time they begin the gradual process of adapting to the loss,” explains psychiatrist Dr. M. Katherine Shear at Columbia University.

“To adapt to a loss, a person needs to accept its finality and understand what it means to them. They also have to find a way to re-envision their life with possibilities for happiness and for honoring their enduring connection to the person who died.”

Researchers like Lichtenthal have found that finding meaning in life after loss can help you adapt. Connecting to those things that are most important, including the relationship with the person who died, can help you co-exist with the pain of grief.

References NIH New in Health edition-October 2017