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.

Post from: Blisstree

Stress Free Holiday Time for Alzheimer’s Caregivers

 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 subside and they go on to other stages, just as the toddler does with his/her inquisitiveness.

Do you have ways of coping with these seemingly endless questions?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

More About Alzheimer’s Patients’ Repetitive Questions

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

Post from: Blisstree

Coping with Alzheimer’s Patients’ Repetitive Questions

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 time to get back to my quilts.

If you want to see some exquisite quilts, check out the many quilt photos Marijke has posted of her work at Marijke’s Quilts.

 By last count, my family thinks I’ve made well over 100 hand-quilted quilts. I’m able to do this because most of my quilts are lap-sized ones, although there are some really large ones.

Do you find that quilting, or a similar project, relaxes you, relieves stress, and eases pain?  Perhaps quilting also will help your Alzheimer’s patients.  My mother could no longer quilt by the time she was living with me.  However, she enjoyed looking at quilts, touching them, and reminiscing about them. 

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Can Quilting Help Caregivers Manage Stress & Pain?

  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:

1. 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.
2. Other stores are available only online so offer you choices you may not find when shopping downtown.
3. Some grocery stores, especially near larger cities, have developed an online shopping/home delivery service. 
4. With online shopping, you save time, which is valuable to you, because you can shop in between tasks or when your patient is sleeping. 
5. There is convenience because you don’t have to find someone to care for the Alzheimer’s patient while you go out to the store or shopping mall.
6. You save money.  Often there will be online specials because many stores are encouraging shoppers to go online. 
7. Also, you won’t be spending money on gas to drive to the store, a great savings nowadays.

Do you have any online shopping tips to share?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

7 Online Shopping Benefits to Make Life Easier for Alzheimer’s Caregivers

  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:

1. Read your favorite type of books…I love mysteries.
2. Relax in the bath tub or hot tub.
3. Take walks and enjoy the world around you.
4. Practice yoga or some form or meditation.
5. Cook…some find breadmaking relaxing.
6. Find a favorite handcraft…possibly quilting, fabric art, painting, knitting, crocheting, rug braiding…something you can become passionate about so that it takes your mind off your problems.
7. Scrapbooking and researching family history.  Look for those ancestors your family member may mention when they’re living in their past.  Thus you’re preserving a family legacy.
8. Watch a DVD movie or TV series.  Our family recently has been laughing along with Monk.
9. Play music that you enjoy.  This might be slow music or something rolicking that you dance by.
10. Go out to lunch with a friend or family member.  Make it a relaxing time.

How do you relax and relieve your stress?  Share with us!

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

10 Ways to Manage Alzheimer’s Caregiver Stress