Alzheimer’s is a sad disease. We slowly watch our loved one die.
I’ve heard the saying “mourning your loved one now, to mourn all over again.”
This is true, we are mourning the loss of who our loved one was with the loss of abilities and interest now.
However, when s/he passes we will mourn them all over again.
This is why it is importance to raise Alzheimer’s awareness and find a cure.
I often notice while working with the elderly, especially Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, that some stories are repeated over and over. There have been times I’ve heard the stories so much that I feel that I can tell the story.
However, I also learn more about the person while listening to the story. Sometimes through the retelling I can glean nuggets of insight about the person’s life.
However, I recently had a conversation with another worker that got me to thinking. She said “when they repeat the story over and over it is really important to them.”
I realized that she had a valid point. That incident was important to that person or made an impact on their life and/or thought process.
I realized this can also prove true when actions are repeated over and over again. After all actions speak louder than words.
What story or action is important to your loved one?
The day has been stressful and you find that you are anxious. Your loved one has been demanding today and you need to unwind.
Some ways to relieve stress and anxiety include:
How do you relieve stress and anxiety?
Working with Alzheimer’s patients, I am often challenged. How do I find activities that are enjoyable and engaging for my residents?
Some tips to keep in mind are:
What do you take into consideration when planning activities?
Caregiving can be a very lonely task. After all you spend hours or days with the person being cared for.
During this time family, friends and co-workers may not understand all of the strain and frustration you feel.
These groups are important because they provide an outlet of discussion with other likeminded individuals. These individuals are experiencing the same concerns and struggles and need to vent or talk through their problems.
However, there are groups where you can find support.
A few places to find support include:
Other places to check include:
Where have you found caregiving support?
