10 Tips for Maintaining Alzheimer’s Caregiver Sanity
October 16, 2007 by Mary Emma Allen
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
“Does Mother have Alzheimer’s or do I?” was a refrain that frequently ran through my mind when I’d encounter a difficult day with Mother. Or it simply might be the culmination of a day filled with multiple activities, including those of caring for Mother, plus lack of sleep.
Have you ever doubted your sanity, when the stress of caregiving, plus the other tasks of involving work, family, and homemaking filled the day? Here are a few idea that might help you keep your sanity.
1. Look for the humor in the situation. There is more than you realize if you take the time to see it.
2. Realize your Alzheimer’s patient isn’t necessarily striking out at you…just at the situation they find themself in. Don’t take all the complaints personally.
3. Ask for help from family, friends, and caregiver groups. Often they are willing to help but don’t know how. (Some may refuse, but don’t let that stop you from seeking help from others.)
4. Learn all you can about the disease and caregiving; realize you’re not alone.
5. Find a caregiver support group. If there isn’t one locally, look online.
6. Enjoy small pleasures with your Alzheimer’s family member.
7. Carve out time for yourself…it’s a necessity…even if in small segments. Take a relaxing bath. Work in the garden. Begin scrapbooking and include the family member in your reminiscing.
8. Find day care for your family member or see if there is someone who will come to your home and sit with him/her for a few hours.
9. Listen to music or watch a movie. This often will relax and occupy the patient, too.
10. Learn to take cat naps when your parent/spouse is sleeping, just as you did when children were small.
Bonus Tip: Read Kathy’s KnowItAlz.com Blog daily. You’ll find a kindred spirit!
Not every one of these tips may work for you (except Kathy’s bonus). However, see if some will to help you keep your sanity and find enjoyment in life and in your family member/patient. As you read through them and see if they will apply to your situation, other ideas may come to mind.
Let me know what works for you. I’d love to post a list of tips that my readers share with me.
Hi Mary Emma, I think without tip #1 – maintaining and finding the humor in a situation everything else becomes much more difficult. After all, they say (and there’s scientific research to back it up) that ‘laughter is the best medicine.
Cheers,
Liz
Excellent advice for all caregivers! Thanks for sharing.
Kristen
I agree, Liz, a sense of humor helps get us through many of life’s situations and is very valuable when it comes to being a caregiver for an Alzheimer’s patient. My mom also seemed to relax when we could laugh about life.
Thanks, Kristen, for stopping by and leaving your comments. It’s nice to have others reinforce that what I’ve written is helpful and of value.