If you have never taken care of someone with Alzheimer's Dementia then you have no idea the amount of work that goes with it. First of all, I would like to commend those who instead of taking the easy road and putting their love one in a facility, has taken on the responsibility themselves.I myself have taken on this role.
My father has had this terrible disease for over 15 years, and for the past couple years I have been his caregiver.I'm still pretty young so I figured it shouldn't be a problem.Man was I wrong! Taking care of an elder with this disease is very stressful and without support can become very frustrating. Now don't get me wrong, it isn't like you don't love them just because you get frustrated, it just mean you need more support.
My first few months was going good. I was learning things that I needed to learn in order to care for his needs better thanks to a book I read, by John Dupree,which I will place a link to the book at the bottom of the page.I didn't ask for help from family members because I didn't think I needed help from them.That was what I thought!
After over a year, fatigue followed by frustration began to set in on me and I was standing alone trying to carry this huge responsibility.Keep in mind, this is not a 5 day a week job from 9-5, but this is 24/7 because they depend on you for everything. It is you who has to know when they are thirsty and hungry. It is you who has to know when they need changing.All of their needs are placed on you. Now all this applys when your love one just can't do for themselves and lacks communication.So this pertain to a later stage of Alzheimer's.
Whatever stage your love one is in, you must find some support. Now whether this support is emotional or physical, it is important that you have it.
Emotional support you will find to be the second most important support you can have.Having a place to share your concerns and frustrations is very important, because it allows you to free yourself of pinned-up emotions. When you have frustration building up inside and have no outlet, it could lead to anger or depression.If you have noone to talk too, I have found that a great place to vent out is finding a forum for Alzheimer's caregivers. There are lots of forums with people who have the same concerns that you share.Find one and share your concerns as well as maybe help someone else that has the same problems.
Physical support to me is the number one support that one needs in order to maintain taking care of a love one year after year. Being able to have a day to yourself, or at least a couple of hours where you can just have some me-time is very important.In order to care for someone that has this disease, especially if it's at a later stage, you must take care of yourself.Having some time away can refresh you to continue on.If you don't have a relative or close friend to give you a break once a week, there are facilities where you can take them for a couple of hours. Find one in your area for the disable and do some research and if you feel comfortable leaving your love one there, it can be a big help.
These are 2 supports that you will definitely need if you are going to care for someone with Alzheimer's or a disabled person.
If you are interested in the e-book, which I definetely encourage you to get, by John Dupree, just
Click Here
My father has had this terrible disease for over 15 years, and for the past couple years I have been his caregiver.I'm still pretty young so I figured it shouldn't be a problem.Man was I wrong! Taking care of an elder with this disease is very stressful and without support can become very frustrating. Now don't get me wrong, it isn't like you don't love them just because you get frustrated, it just mean you need more support.
My first few months was going good. I was learning things that I needed to learn in order to care for his needs better thanks to a book I read, by John Dupree,which I will place a link to the book at the bottom of the page.I didn't ask for help from family members because I didn't think I needed help from them.That was what I thought!
After over a year, fatigue followed by frustration began to set in on me and I was standing alone trying to carry this huge responsibility.Keep in mind, this is not a 5 day a week job from 9-5, but this is 24/7 because they depend on you for everything. It is you who has to know when they are thirsty and hungry. It is you who has to know when they need changing.All of their needs are placed on you. Now all this applys when your love one just can't do for themselves and lacks communication.So this pertain to a later stage of Alzheimer's.
Whatever stage your love one is in, you must find some support. Now whether this support is emotional or physical, it is important that you have it.
Emotional support you will find to be the second most important support you can have.Having a place to share your concerns and frustrations is very important, because it allows you to free yourself of pinned-up emotions. When you have frustration building up inside and have no outlet, it could lead to anger or depression.If you have noone to talk too, I have found that a great place to vent out is finding a forum for Alzheimer's caregivers. There are lots of forums with people who have the same concerns that you share.Find one and share your concerns as well as maybe help someone else that has the same problems.
Physical support to me is the number one support that one needs in order to maintain taking care of a love one year after year. Being able to have a day to yourself, or at least a couple of hours where you can just have some me-time is very important.In order to care for someone that has this disease, especially if it's at a later stage, you must take care of yourself.Having some time away can refresh you to continue on.If you don't have a relative or close friend to give you a break once a week, there are facilities where you can take them for a couple of hours. Find one in your area for the disable and do some research and if you feel comfortable leaving your love one there, it can be a big help.
These are 2 supports that you will definitely need if you are going to care for someone with Alzheimer's or a disabled person.
If you are interested in the e-book, which I definetely encourage you to get, by John Dupree, just
Click Here
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