Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease comes with unique responsibilities and is a journey of love, patience and understanding. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia and is a progressive brain disease where symptoms begin with mild memory loss and as the person’s memory continues to fade, language becomes impaired, and mobility is reduced.
According to the CDC, 16 million Americans provide unpaid care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and 57% of Alzheimer’s family caregivers offer care for four years or more. Caring for someone with Alzheimer's can be a long and emotional journey and understanding how it can affect you is just as important as understanding its impact on your loved one. Here are 4 things you can do to make this journey easier for both you and your loved one.
- Stay Informed
Alzheimer’s disease will get worse over time and can cause severely diminished levels of ability and new patterns of behavior which will bring about new daily challenges as your loved one needs more help. However, by staying current on information regarding Alzheimer’s disease and having regular discussions with your loved one's doctor or advanced practice provider* (APP), it will allow you to better prepare and manage these challenges as they occur.
- Develop a Care Plan
Developing and maintaining a care plan can help you organize your caregiving tasks and compile important information in one easy-to-access place. This plan may include medicine dosage and schedules, doctor/APP contact information, health insurance details, and emergency contacts.
At Village Medical™, we work with patients and their caregivers to create a Stay Well Care Plan, which is an individualized care and wellness plan that is specific to your loved one’s health and wellness journey.
- Organize and Adapt Activities
People with Alzheimer’s may have difficulty planning days and trouble starting tasks, but it’s still important for them to stay active, participate in activities to stimulate their mind like puzzles, music, or physical exercise. According to the Alzheimer's Association establishing routines for daily tasks and incorporating outdoor exercise are just a few ways to stimulate your loved one and improve their quality of life. You might also consider art therapy in different forms which can help with self-expression, communication, social interaction and improve your loved one’s wellbeing.
- Care for Yourself While Caring for Your Loved One
Caregiving can bring great you satisfaction and strengthen your relationship with your loved one, but it can also be emotionally and physically demanding. Most caregivers suffer from stress, anxiety, fatigue, frustration, anger and depression among others. That is why as you care for your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, you also need to make sure to prioritize your own mental and physical health as well.
- Talk to your doctor/APP: The demands of caregiving can limit the time you have to take care of yourself, but it is important to schedule check-ins with your doctor or APP and to maintain regular medical appointments and screenings. Be sure to let them know of your caregiving role to allow them to provide you with the best care.
- Talk to others: According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, family caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s face a higher likelihood of experiencing anxiety and depression compared to those caring for individuals with other medical conditions. You can ask your loved one’s or your care team for suggestions on support groups offered in your community or online. Connecting with other caregivers offers a space to share experiences, hear how others are managing certain challenges and the opportunity to release stress.
- Ask for help: Adding consistent breaks from your caregiving responsibilities can be a key factor in maintaining your own health and is called respite care. You can do this by asking family members or friends to provide temporary relief when you need a break or to attend to personal matters. Explore respite care programs with your doctor or APP.
Staying on top of your own mental, emotional, and physical health will help you navigate this challenging journey with resilience and compassion. While it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to make our loved one with Alzheimer’s disease remaining years the best possible. And always remember that you are not alone on this journey.
*An advanced practice provider is defined as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant.