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They even provided some more blogs for caregivers.

If you’re looking for information and just a place to get together with other caregivers, for comfort and encouragement, perhaps you’d like to check out these blogs.  Also, you may find tips on making life more enjoyable for the person with Alzheimer’s.

If you have any more resources, do share them with us.  Caregivers need all the encouragement and support they can find during their journey with their Alzheimer’s patient.

Post from: Blisstree

More Alzheimer’s Parenting Resources

As I mentoned to Edie, it is difficult living day to day with someone who has Alzheimer’s and can be very stubborn. They’re also often frightened by what’s happening to them, so strike out verbally and physically at those closest.  That often is the caregiver.

When I was caring for Mother, I read somewhere that you could end up becoming very angry at that person and had to be careful you didn’t harm them physically. “No never,” I thought. “She’s my mother.”

However, as the tiredness and frustrations grew, I began to understand what the author meant. I had to learn to laugh, to joke with Mother, and make an attempt to stay calm. I also realized I must get away from the caregiving at times and have space for myself.  I had to learn not to take what Mother said and did personally because she often didn’t know it was ME she was venting her frustrations on.

How have you learned to cope when caregiving seems too much?

Post from: Blisstree

When Caregiving Becomes Too Much

Check out Carol Bradley Bursack’s blog and learn how to enter a drawing for her book, Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories.  You’ll need to take a survey about caregiving, but it’s easy and quick. 

Then your name will be entered into the random drawing for one of ten copies of Carol’s book.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

A Drawing & a Survey for Minding Our Elders

 As I read Liz’s recent post, Sleep Disturbances in Alzheimer’s Patients & Their Caregivers, I recalled the lack of sleep when I cared for Mother.  An uninterrupted night’s sleep was something I received little of. Mother lost track of day or night, cat napped during the day, so was awake or only napping at night. Her sleep patterns (or non-patterns), always erratic  before Ahzheimer’s, became more so after she developed this disease.

“Mary, one of the most difficult things about caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is you never get a good night’s sleep,” a friend said, when she learned I was moving Mother to my home from hers in another state.  Audrey had taken care of her father and found the sleeplessness most difficult.

So, be aware, if you find yourself an Alzheimer’s caregiver, sleeplessness may be in the cards for you.  Lack of sleep can be a danger to your well being, especially if you have any health conditions that are intensified by tiredness. 

Find ways to get a good night’s sleep by:

* Alternating caretaking with others

*Getting naps during the day

*Keeping the patient active during the day so (hopefully) he/she sleeps at night

*Checking with other caregivers and professionals for tips on getting adequate sleep and getting your patient to sleep for longer periods.

Fortunately my health was good, so sleeplessness didn’t bother me on that account.  I learned to sleep lightly, as I had when my daughter was small.  I learned to awake when I heard the slightest unusual noise and find that Mother and her cat were enjoying some nightly adveture.

How have you managed to get more sleep as an Alzheimer’s caregiver?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Warning: Lack of Sleep a Danger for the Alzheimer’s Caregivers