Alzheimer's Stories. A Caregivers Guide to Mismatched Outfits, Goofy Hair and Beer for Breakfast.
ALZHEIMER'S STORIES examines the irony and humor of Alzheimer's disease (AD) while it offers practical advice for hygiene, safety, denial and grief.
When AD reached my family, I inhaled medical resources, "poor-me" stories and books by authors as befuddled as their patients. None of these books provided the personal, front-line details I wanted.
ALZHEIMER'S STORIES is intimate information. Its short, relevant chapters provide fast advice to time-starved caregivers. It is the information I wished for when I became an AD caregiver.
When AD reached my family, I inhaled medical resources, "poor-me" stories and books by authors as befuddled as their patients. None of these books provided the personal, front-line details I wanted.
ALZHEIMER'S STORIES is intimate information. Its short, relevant chapters provide fast advice to time-starved caregivers. It is the information I wished for when I became an AD caregiver.
Caregiver Stress Test
Take this test to determine your caregiving stress.
I may seem to repeat myself on the importance of taking care of yourself as an Alzheimer's caregiver, but every time I talk to caregivers I see this problem. Some are angry, others are
depressed, and almost all are exhausted.
The meaning of the word caregiver naturally makes us focus on the care recipient and ignore the person giving care. The nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is to consume both the patient and the caregiver. This can create stress which is often unrecognized until it reaches a crisis level. The crisis may be illness, emotional overload, or depression that forces the caregiver to acknowledge the impact AD has on their health as well as their patient's.
Take the caregiver stress test below, then give yourself the gift of a break. Ask a relative or friend to relieve you for a couple of hours, or an evening. Spend some time relaxing. You will be a better caregiver if you take care of yourself.
If you know someone who would benefit from the information, please forward it in its entirety to them.
CAREGIVER STRESS TEST
It's important to acknowledge your feelings because they determine how you view and cope with caregiving. All feeling are legitimate, even those that seem disturbing to you (including anger, frustration, and sadness). Recognizing and accepting your emotions is the first step to resolving problems of guilt and stress. Learn to express your feelings to family members, friends or professionals.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
The following test will help you be aware of feelings, pressures and stress you currently feel.
Rate each: Seldom - Sometimes - Often - Usually True - Always True
-- I find I can't get enough rest.
-- I don't have enough time for myself.
-- I don't have time to be with other family members besides the person I care for.
-- I feel guilty about my situation.
-- I don't get out much anymore.
-- I have conflict with the person I care for.
-- I have conflicts with other family members.
-- I cry everyday.
-- I worry about having enough money to make ends meet.
-- I don't feel I have enough knowledge or experience to give care as well as I'd like.
-- My own health is not good.
If your response to one or more of these areas is *usually true* or *often true* it may be time to look for help with caring for your patient and yourself.
(Source for this test: San Diego Mental Health Services.)
depressed, and almost all are exhausted.
The meaning of the word caregiver naturally makes us focus on the care recipient and ignore the person giving care. The nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is to consume both the patient and the caregiver. This can create stress which is often unrecognized until it reaches a crisis level. The crisis may be illness, emotional overload, or depression that forces the caregiver to acknowledge the impact AD has on their health as well as their patient's.
Take the caregiver stress test below, then give yourself the gift of a break. Ask a relative or friend to relieve you for a couple of hours, or an evening. Spend some time relaxing. You will be a better caregiver if you take care of yourself.
If you know someone who would benefit from the information, please forward it in its entirety to them.
CAREGIVER STRESS TEST
It's important to acknowledge your feelings because they determine how you view and cope with caregiving. All feeling are legitimate, even those that seem disturbing to you (including anger, frustration, and sadness). Recognizing and accepting your emotions is the first step to resolving problems of guilt and stress. Learn to express your feelings to family members, friends or professionals.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
The following test will help you be aware of feelings, pressures and stress you currently feel.
Rate each: Seldom - Sometimes - Often - Usually True - Always True
-- I find I can't get enough rest.
-- I don't have enough time for myself.
-- I don't have time to be with other family members besides the person I care for.
-- I feel guilty about my situation.
-- I don't get out much anymore.
-- I have conflict with the person I care for.
-- I have conflicts with other family members.
-- I cry everyday.
-- I worry about having enough money to make ends meet.
-- I don't feel I have enough knowledge or experience to give care as well as I'd like.
-- My own health is not good.
If your response to one or more of these areas is *usually true* or *often true* it may be time to look for help with caring for your patient and yourself.
(Source for this test: San Diego Mental Health Services.)
Links We Like
- Advice for Alzheimer's Caregivers
- Information and practical advice on Alzheimer's caregiving.
- Free Book Excerpt
- Download a free excerpt of Alzheimer's Stories.
- Alzheimer's Association
- Find a local support group. Read and download information from the Web site.
Stressed Out? Now What?
Get some help!
Okay. You're stressed out and feel all alone in your caregiving responsibilities. But you're not. One of the best ways to reduce stress is to ASK FOR HELP.
Call or click your way to the local Alzheimer's Association. They provide lots of information on common caregiver challenges. See link above.
Call a friend, relative or neighbor and ask them to help you for an hour or two. Take a break, get out of the house, see a movie, go to dinner with a friend. Go to a local Alzheimer's support group meeting.
Caregivers often neglect their own needs. It's vital that you take care of yourself so you can take care of your loved one with Alzheimer's.
Friends and family won't know how they can help you unless you tell them. Don't be a martyr and don't wait until your own health is in jeopardy. Ask for help now.
Call or click your way to the local Alzheimer's Association. They provide lots of information on common caregiver challenges. See link above.
Call a friend, relative or neighbor and ask them to help you for an hour or two. Take a break, get out of the house, see a movie, go to dinner with a friend. Go to a local Alzheimer's support group meeting.
Caregivers often neglect their own needs. It's vital that you take care of yourself so you can take care of your loved one with Alzheimer's.
Friends and family won't know how they can help you unless you tell them. Don't be a martyr and don't wait until your own health is in jeopardy. Ask for help now.
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by KarenFavoWalsh
Karen Favo Walsh learned first-hand that Alzheimer's is joy tangled with sorrow. Her credentials include caregiving, a B.S. in Journalism and over tw... (more)
