Managing Stress
November is here.  With this month come thoughts of the holidays ahead.  Although they’re joyous times, often, when you must care for an Alzheimer’s patient along with all the holiday preparations, you become stressed out.
For a start on managing your stress, take a look at this previous post I wrote, 10 Ways to Manage Alzheimer’s Caregiver Stress. 
Let me know if you have other methods that work for you.  Let’s share them to see if, together, we can help one another enjoy a relatively stress free holiday season.

AlzheimersNotes.com
 As I was responding to comments on the post about repetitive questions, I agreed that, yes, Alzheimer’s victims certainly can ask a question over and over and try one’s patience.  By the end of the day, the caregiver can be worn out.
However, I realized,  this reminded me, too, of when my daughter and then grandchildren were small and going through the “Why, why, why?” stage. Or some days they may get on the “What’s that?” bandwagon.  I think parents often wonder if they’ll outgrow those days.
I suppose I went through those stages and Mother had patience with me!
The Alzheimer’s patients’ repetitive questions eventually …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com   
Sometimes Mother or Auntie would ask the same question over and over.  If I were lucky, I’d have a five minute break between questions.  I learned they weren’t doing it to drive me crazy.  They simply forgot and that particular concern played on their mind. 
At Alzheimer’s Weekly, you’ll find a helpful discussion by caregivers who have been there or are going through this now with a parent or spouse.  Tune into Coping tips: My husband keeps repeating the same question.
How do you cope when this happens?
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

AlzheimersNotes.com
Marijke Durning, blogger at Help My Hurt  wrote about quilts and how making and quilting them seems to ease her pain, Pamper Yourself and Maybe Ease the Pain.  She discovered that when she’s too busy to do her quilting, her pain seemed worse. 
 One thing I noticed is that since I’ve slacked off on my quilting and began to work more, my pain level has increased. Whether it’s the relaxation of quilting (I hand quilt), the creativity that goes into the design, or the fun of choosing the colors and all that, I don’t know. But, maybe the message is, it’s …read more

 AlzheimersNotes.com
  As more people become computer literate and browse the Internet, they are discovering the value of online shopping.  This holds true for the caregiver, too.
Here are 7 benefits of online shopping for the caregiver:

Many of the larger stores have developed an online presence, as well as a brick-and-mortar one.  You can browse their websites, set up an account, shop and have the items delivered at your door.
Other stores are available only online so offer you choices you may not find when shopping downtown.
Some grocery stores, especially near larger cities, have developed an online shopping/home delivery service. 
With online shopping, you …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com
  Caregiving can be a stressful job, whether you’re a professional or caring for a family member in their or your home.  You need to develop techniques for relaxing and managing your stress so you don’t burn out.  Perhaps you’ve found what works for you.  Or you may be looking for some ideas. 
Here are 10 suggestions:

Read your favorite type of books…I love mysteries.
Relax in the bath tub or hot tub.
Take walks and enjoy the world around you.
Practice yoga or some form or meditation.
Cook…some find breadmaking relaxing.
Find a favorite handcraft…possibly quilting, fabric art, painting, knitting, crocheting, rug braiding…something you can become …read more