Strategies for Success dealing with Alzheimer’s
Strategies for Success: How to Be a More Successful Caregiver
Being a caregiver for an individual with Alzheimers disease can be a difficult and emotionally stressful process, as the person you care for can start to change and exhibit behaviors that do not reflect their normal personality. While this can be difficult, armed with a few strategies for success, you can be better prepared to handle these challenges.
Learn About the Disease
The best tool for success for Alzheimers caregivers is an education on the condition. Alzheimers is a complicated disease and if you do not have a basic education on Alzheimers disease then handling some of the stages of this disease can be particularly troubling. Caregivers should reach books, articles, reports, attend workshops and join support groups so they can get as much information as possible on what to expect with this disease, it can make caring for an individual with Alzheimers disease less overwhelming.
Educate Yourself on Being a Caregiver
Make sure you take the time to learn about caregiver techniques as well. There are a number of great resources and publications that can help you learn about effective skills, managing behaviors and dealing with safety concerns.
Take Care of Important Long Term Care Planning Discussions
If your loved one is still able to make decisions and providing input on their future desires, make sure you have important long term care planning discussions with them early on. As soon as you are able make sure you get their input on end-of-life care and more so you can move forward with their care with their wishes in mind.
Learn New Activities
A great way to keep the person you are caring for sharp and to keep their brain from deteriorating at a more rapid rate is to make sure they are getting cognitive stimulation. Learning some stimulating activities that you can do with your loved one is a great way to help them while building a bond and a sense of trust between the two of you. Word puzzles, games, memory activities and even listening to music or someone read aloud are all great cognitive activities.
Change Your Expectations
It is important to remember that the individual you are caring for will be facing a number of challenges and will be changing every day. Even if you have known them for your entire life, adjust your expectations of what they will act like and how they will respond to help. Try to remember to be patient when interacting with these individuals.
Get a Support System
Dont feel afraid to discuss your own challenges and the challenges of your patients with friends and family members, this can help you get the support you need to handle this difficult job.
Develop a Relationship with Medical Professionals
Fostering effective communication with your loved ones physicians and remaining involved in their medical care is a great way to get more information on how your loved one is doing and how the disease is progressing individually for them.
Do Things for Yourself
As a caregiver you will quickly realize that the time you once had for yourself will start to deteriorate. In order to make sure you avoid caregiver burnout; make time for yourself and make certain you are pursuing your interests beyond being a caregiver. You will also want to make sure you are maintaining your own physical and mental health by exercising and taking part in stress reducing activities.
Be Positive
Staying positive, smiling, and trying your best to approach every situation with positivity and a smile can go a long way. This will help you from becoming too stressed and your loved one will feel comfort from your positive attitude.