Alzheimer’s Disease - Caring For the Caregiver

By Wendy Gorman

Caregivers need just a much care as the Alzheimer’s patient.  Many times people who take care of parents or other family members who are affected by Alzheimer’s Disease are overlooked in the care process.  This can result in burnout especially if the caregiver is still looking after their own family at the same time.  There are some specific issues that need to be focused on so that caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients avoid this burnout.

Many caregivers start to feel lonely and isolated after a period of time.  This is particularly true if they are providing care around the clock.  Friends and family should make a point to call or visit the caregiver so that they have some connection to the outside world.

Caregivers can become very frustrated so it’s important to take the time to listen to what they have to say.  Sometimes it can help just to talk about the stress and anxiety that they are feeling since they won’t be able to share this with their patient.

Caregivers need to have a break now and then, even if it’s only for a few hours a week.  Family members and friends should lend a helping hand so that the primary caregiver can get out of the house at least once a week.

Help with everyday chores will also be needed since there is no way that the caregiver can do everything.  Some of the help that family members and friends can provide include (1) bringing over a cooked meal, (2) doing a load of laundry, (3) buying groceries, or (4) housekeeping.  If no one is available to lend a hand you might want to consider hiring an agency to come in and help with some of these domestic chores.

With so much information about Alzheimer’s Disease available it’s important that caregivers stay up to date with current news.  This includes all aspects of giving care, new medications, and specific information about the disease.  As many people as possible should be involved in the care of an Alzheimer’s patient as possible.

Around the clock care is crucial for patients who have reached the later stages of the disease.  Although one primary caregiver should be appointed to a patient it doesn’t mean that all issues of care should come to depend on this one person.  Giving care to an Alzheimer’s patient means a lot of hard work, frustration, fear, and tears.  Sharing the load among as many people as possible only eases the burden for all and can improve the quality of care that is provided for the patient.

Wendy Gorman is an accomplished author and niche website developer. She is committed to explaining why [http://www.allaboutalzheimers.org/]Alzheimers Disease is best diagnosed early and also what to look for in recognising [http://www.allaboutalzheimers.org/]the onset of Alzheimers Disease. Visit her sites now to better understand the effects of the disease on family and loved ones.

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Family Caregivers Loss of Independence

By Martha Paulson

Today, every six seconds someone turns 62. Makes you stop and think, doesn’t it? As more and more aging adults start to retire, families at one point have to take on the responsibility of care for a loved one. When you have your own family to worry about, the added responsibility can become overwhelming. Playing the role of caregiver can have adverse changes on everyone who enlists that into their own life. Whether it is the spouse, daughter or son of the ailing parent, becoming a caregiver will have a lasting effect on a person’s life. Families should remember that not only is the individual that needs care less independent, but most important so is the caregiver. Family members that provide care for a loved one loose as much of their independence as well. It is important to keep a close watch on the caregiver. Offer assistance as much as possible.

Watch for signs of depression. Do not let the person isolate themselves. Since some people have a harder time of asking for help, make sure they are aware that help is always available. Try to understand their position. Put yourself in their shoes. Could you handle that responsiblity alone? In our busy lives, we tend to ignore how someone may be feeling.

Ensure them that your are there for them. Give them much needed breaks to regain their sanity. Family caregivers sometimes neglect themselves, do not get enough rest, and may not eat properly. They may start to feel overwhelmed with the added responsibility.

Have a family meeting. Place one family member in charge of being aware monthly of who will provide what and discuss who would like to pitch in their time or can provide a gift certificate. Offer to prepare a meal. Assist with lawn care or hire a service. Do the grocery shopping or help them order their groceries on line through Peapod, a wonderful service which will deliver their groceries to their door and bring them in. Give them a gift certificate for someone to come and clean their home or provide laundry service. The possibilities are endless when you make the effort. Close family members can provide sitter services to replace the caregiver at least once a week. Don’t always ask, just do it. Lightening the burden for the family caregiver will be the best gift you can give. Remember, family caregivers do not get a vacation.

Support from family and friends can make a huge difference on the caregivers spirit. Just knowing someone is there makes a world of difference. Through this kind of support families can become stronger and develop good relationships. Remember that one day you may be the family caregiver.

Martha Paulson Specializing in providing assistance for you or your loved one to help maintain an independent quality of life in the comfort of your own home. Free in-home hairdresser and manicure services provided to our clients for their convenience. Located in Round Lake, Il Tailored to every aspect of your needs. To request a no-obligation free in-home consultation visit us at http://www.heartsofgoldhomecare.com

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The MidLife Caregiver - Who Are You?

By Ellen Besso

A caregiver is:

“someone who is involved in helping someone else manage the tasks of living” (A. H. Zimmer)

Parents care for young children, and adult children are often caregivers for their elders, who have become frail and more dependent.

There’s a wide range of what constitutes caregiving. On one end of the continuum we could place the person who lives with their parent and cares for them 24/7, while on the other end might be the daughter who lives on the other side of the country and hires someone to manage and look after their parent.

In the middle we could place, in no particular order, a son who looks after finances, a daughter who visits her mother regularly in their nursing home and takes her on outings, the daughter-in-law who drives her father-in-law to adult daycare, the daughter who hires and manages in-home care staff, and so on.

The issue of care giving and caregiver burnout is a woman’s issue as about 75% of caregivers are women. Most are between 35 and 64 years of age. Two-thirds have jobs in addition to their care giving. These statistics are from the Us Department of Health, Women’s Services.

The value of this unpaid care provided mostly by women is difficult to gauge, but is estimated at $148 to 188 billion in the US.

Many of our elders live longer now than they did when we were growing up. That factor, along with health care cuts means that women are doing more and more unpaid work, and doing it up to an older age. So sometimes we have young seniors caring for elderly seniors.

Many caregivers, (37% per the US census), are the only ones providing unpaid care to their loved one. It is a very stressful and demanding role. Many become so stressed they have burned out physically, mentally and spiritually.

It’s important that we get very clear about how much responsibility we are willing and able to take on for our aging parent’s care, and also why we are make the choices we make. The clearer we are about our priorities, the easier it is for others to understand where we’re coming from.

Through her ‘Odyssey of Change’ coaching program, Ellen Besso offers Midlife Women the opportunity to navigate the midlife maze and find joy & fullness in their lives.

Personal action plans include strengthening the body-mind connection; releasing beliefs that limit growth; & specific actions to move you forward into your ideal life.

Ellen is uniquely qualified to be your guide because she has personally journeyed through perimenopause and into an inspired life as a menopausal crone! Her professional credentials include certification as a Martha Beck Coach and an M.A. in Counselling from City University.

To find out more about Ellen’s work and read articles written by her contact: http://www.ellenbesso.com or ellenbesso.com/midlifemaze

[mailto:info@ellenbesso.com]info@ellenbesso.com 800 961 1364 - N.Am. or

604 886 1916 - Gibsons, BC

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