3 Suggestions A Caregiver Can Use

Being a full time at-home caregiver can bring on a lot of stress, which can lead to early burnouts, or just being frustrated.

When I first started caring for my father who has Alzheimer's a few years ago, I was full steam ahead.Nothing became as important as doing for him. Alone the way I lost myself. I became so engrossed in caring for him until I totally forgot about myself, and it lead to a slight depression and burnout.

About a year ago I began to change all of that by changing a few things. Here are my 3 suggestions if you are a caregiver experience frustration and burnout.

1. Don't be distant with your friends: Continuing to be social with friends is very key to maintaining a balance life when you are a at-home caregiver. Being a caregiver does not mean you can't have a life outside of it.This was one of the problems I had when I first started. Everytime a friend called and wanted to come by or maybe go grab something to eat, I always had an excuse not to go.Friends can really be emotional support you will find yourself needing one day.If you are this person, change that and start re-establishing your friendships.

2. Don't try to do everything in 1 day: This journey of caregiving requires endurance.I mean you could be doing this for 10-20 years ofyour life. Trying to get everything done before the day end can lead to getting stressed out. So what if you didn't fold the clothes up before the day was up. So what if you left 3 glasses in the sink overnight. We get into a routine that is so full of work that it becomes overwhelming and leads to anxiety.If you are this person, don't stress yourself about small stuff.

3.Getting Proper Sleep: Nothing is worse than getting up before the sun and not getting proper sleep. I'm not talking about getting rest. Getting rest and getting sleep is totally different. This was another one of my problems. When it was time to lie down for the night, my mind was always on something I should have done.Because of that ,my mind was not shutting down, and caused me to get inadequate sleep. If you are this person, try reading a book before bed to just take your mind off the day.It really can help your mind relax.

I have applied these 3 steps and more to maintain over the past year while taking care of my disabled father.I couldn't be more upbeat and less stressful than I am today.

If you are a caregiver please share a few of the thing you do to maintain this journey.

Alzheimer's Book Review And Why I Recommend It

Over the past few years, I have been a caregiver for my father who has Alzheimer's. He has had this disease for over 15 years now. Looking back over my journey and learning how to cope with the different things that comes along with this, the one thing I could say is that I wish I had was someone to tell me what and how to care for him.

Looking over the internet, you can find all kinds of medical advice on this disease, which is great, but what if you just need advice on how to care for your love one. Each person is different when it comes to this disease. Some scream a lot, refuse to take their medicine, wander off, and some are even combative. We as caregivers, especially if it is a parent and  you have always considered your mother/father as this strong individual that can't be touched, needs to understand how to really deal with the emotional and physical side of caregiving.

I have read several books on Alzheimer's and some gave me great insight, while others were not a help to me at all.

 This e-book that I am about to introduce to you now is from a gentlemen name John Dupree, who has Alzheimer's and decided to share his pain and suffering to encourage those who are about to deal with the same issues. He is the author of 3 books dealing with Alzheimer's Dementia.I came across this book while searching for information from people who had Alzheimer's and gave their personal experience, so I could better understand what goes on in the mind of a person who had just been diagnosed with the disease.

At first I was very skeptical purchasing the book because of all the fraud that goes on online. Eventually I purchased and downloaded the e-book.Wow, was I amazed at how detailed this book was! John gives you details of the battle that goes on in the mind when a person is first diagnosed with the disease and the things caregivers need to know when handling someone with the disease.Most of the things mentioned in the book I saw in my father during his early stages.

Mr. Dupree is donating 60% of the income received from his book to help further research for this terrible disease.If you wish to view and purchased a copy of this amazing book, just Click Here.I highly recommend it if you in the first stages of Alzheimer's/Dementia

Are You Frustrated Caregiving For Parent Or Spouse With Alzheimer's

If you are a person taking care of a spouse or parent with Alzheimer's, there will become a time when you will get tired and frustrated. It doesn't mean that you don't love them and ready to throw in the towel or drop them off at the nearest Nursing Home, but being frustrated will often occur.

Taking care of someone in the later stages of Alzheimer's can get physically as well as mentally exhausting.This becomes a 24/7 job because they depend on you for everything.

I have been taking care of my father, who has had Alzheimer's for quite some time now, and believe me when I say, that there are times when I just don't feel up to doing anything.Depression and frustration began to rear its ugly head up, and it's that time you must remind yourself the promise you made.

One of the main things you need to do when you start recognizing that you are becoming frustrated is,find you a place in the home that allows you to relax your mind.Whatever you find peaceful, take time out to do it, because this can keep frustration down to a minimal.I have found out that mental exhaustion can sometimes be worse than physical exhaustion. The problem dealing with frustration is, if you are not careful it can lead to anger.It is at that point you want to yell and second guess yourself at why you are doing this in the first place.

So, if you are at the point where frustration is setting in, and it seems like it's occuring often, then you must take a break, whether it's 30 minutes or 2 hours.If you don't take a break when you become mentally frustrated it can lead to being overwhelmed and may cause you health problems. The solution you need in this situation is finding someone that you trust, whether it's family or friend, and have them to give you 1 day out of the month just to get out of the home for a while.

It is important that you maintain your mental health so that you won't be on an emotional rollercoaster and give yourself a breakdown.

If  you are a caregiver and has anything to add to help someone who may be going through frustrating times, please leave your comment below. Thank You!

Below you will find a real life story by an Alzheimer's sufferer, who shares his pain, hurts, and frustrations. His e-book brings hope for those who suffer from this terrible disease. Get this amazing e-book for the low-cost of $10.45.
http://8134clpasfcvcwd1i6ak3l0i7r.hop.clickbank.net/

<http://healthmad.com/conditions-and-diseases/is-putting-parents

My Fathers Alzheimers Changed My Life

Over the past year, my life has completely changed. Before that, my life was all about working and traveling.Since 1990, I have been a Branch Manager for Budget Rental Car in the Dallas Texas area.Being able to take care of your family is all a man could ask for.My goal was to put 25 years in, then retire from that position,but continue to work part-time. I would still be young and would have the finances and freedom to do what I love to do, and that is travel.But things has changed.

In 2000,at the age of 75, my father developed Alzheimers. A disease that his father also had.My father and I took care of my Grandfather, because he didn't believe in nursing homes.

In 2006, Alzheimers took all of my father's abilities away.He could no longer do for himself.The question all of my sisters and brothers had was, what are we going to do about daddy?My mother let it be known to all of us that our father would not be placed in a home.Over the past couple years, a lot of bickering started coming between the family. Everyone felt that it wasn't right that their life had to be put on hold.  My mother, who is 80, was trying to take care of my father and it was putting a strain on her health.I could no longer sit back and watch my mother go through this.

In August 2010, I left my job in Dallas to move to Mississippi.I am now the caregiver of my parents.My mother still has all of her abilities, so she can care for herself, but age has slowed her down.I cook and clean so that she can enjoy her last days enjoying whatever she wants to do.The only thing she has told me was, stay away from her washing machine, after I turned a couple of her white sheets blue.

The first couple months was very stressful. I had no idea how much work was involved in, not only taking care a person with Alzheimers, but also another elderly person in the house.My day starts at 7a.m. and when I'm finished with everything it's 9p.m.I have no social life at all.I'm human so every now and then I ask myself, how did my life get to this point.I never question my decision because it is a joy when I'm feeding my father, he looks and me and smiles. It's as though he knows exactly who I am.I believe God has a plan for everyone life, I'm just glad I was obedient enough to answer this call.What an Honor and Priviledge!

Below you will find a real life story by John Du Preez, an Alzheimer's sufferer, who shares his hurt, pain, and frustration. His e-book brings hope to those who suffer from this horrible disease. Get this amazing e-book for the low-cost of $10.45. Click Here For Details


http://myparentalzheimers.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-can-you-give-medicine-to-spouse-or.html
http://myparentalzheimers.blogspot.com/2011/12/should-you-put-parents-or-spouse-with.html