Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be stressful. Being a caregiver can increase the risk of suffering from depression, burnout, and extreme stress. Alzheimer’s caregivers also experience exhaustion, loneliness, anxiety, and sadness.
A caregivers journey does not have to be only stressful. It can be fulfilling as well.
Caregiving provides a sense of fulfilment and care:
When a person cares for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia it helps form a deeper connection with the patient. It helps eliminate past differences and helps create a new and caring bond.
Caregiving can help boost confidence:
The experience of caregiving can help boost confidence. It can help a person learn a new skill. Caregiving is a compassionate act, and mother’s who are caregivers can be role models for children.
Self-help tips for Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiver
Accept the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia:
It can be difficult for the family member and patient to accept the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia. Allow space and time to process the diagnosis. Accept the help and support of close family members or friends. Be kind to yourself.
Encourage loved one to express:
Getting to know about Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis can be difficult. It is a lot to process. Allow your patient or loved one to express what they feel. They are feeling a range of emotions such as denial, anger, shock, disbelief, helplessness, and frustration. Allow the loved one or patient to lead the kind of life they do and do activities together like watching a video or listening to music. When you feel exhausted or stressed connect with a close family member or friend.
Do a thorough research on Alzheimer’s:
Read about Alzheimer’s and do it at a pace that suits you with a calm state of mind. Gaining extensive information about Alzheimer’s can enable a caregiver to be better equipped to cope with the progression of the disease in the future.
Incorporate lifestyle changes to slow the advancement of disease:
The caregiver can encourage a loved one or patient to incorporate lifestyle changes to slow the progression of the disease. Activities such as managing stress, interacting with people, exercising, getting a good amount of sleep, and having a healthy diet can help slow the advancement of the disease.
The foods that can help fight cognitive decline are
Leafy greens that are high in B9 and Folate can help reduce depression.
Nuts are packed with B vitamins, Vitamin E, magnesium, and healthy fats, that helps promote good cognition.
Berries such as blackberries, cherries, blueberries, and raspberries are packed with anthocyanin that helps prevent brain damage caused by free radicals. The antioxidants and vitamins helps reduce inflammation.
Omega-3 fatty acids such as flax seeds, olive oil, mackerel, salmon, and tuna, are effective in preventing dementia.
Cruciferous vegetables such as brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli are packed with carotenoids, and B vitamins that help reduce homocysteine levels that is known to cause cognitive decline, dementia, and brain atrophy.
A good meal plan for a person with Alzheimer’s is to consume lots of fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, lean protein, and whole grains. Drink a good amount of water and reduce intake of sugar and avoid too much salt.
Maintain a journal and write about experience:
Maintain a journal and write about the positive experience of caregiving. When a negative thought emerges, change it into something positive such as I am doing my best the caregiving role is a rewarding experience.
Practice gratitude:
There are times when a caregiver can feel tired. It can be helpful to practice gratitude by identifying strengths and having a good relationship with a loved one or patient.
Find ways to help with short-term memory loss:
A loved one or patient might need help with keeping a list of medications to be taken, remembering to pay bills, keeping an account of appointments, and so on. Encourage the loved one or patient to work alongside you. Let them have a notebook and take notes.
Stimulating activities that a person with Alzheimer’s and caregiver can do together are
Work on puzzles.
Arts and crafts such as painting and knitting.
The other fun activities to do are organize household or office items, bake or cook, read the newspaper together, create a scrapbook, look at photo albums, and gardening.
Having a pet is beneficial for people with Alzheimer’s. It helps create a calming effect. Scientists have discovered people with Alzheimer’s who have pets showed a reduction in aggression and agitation behaviour.
Stress management:
Indulging in regular physical activity releases endorphins that help improve mood. Relaxing activities such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing can help relieve stress. Reduce intake of sugar and caffeine. Too much sugar and caffeine cause low mood and energy.
Being an Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiver can be a rewarding experience. It helps form a stronger bond between the caregiver and a loved one or patient. The caregiver can take breaks in between and do any calming activity such as listening to music, reading, watching a funny video, and so on. Family and friends can keep in touch with the caregiver and find out how they are doing. Caregivers must be kind to themselves and appreciate themselves. Enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee, make a favourite meal, listen to good music, take a walk in the garden or terrace, spend time with a pet, and breathe in some fresh air. Also, get inspired to work on a new project, start a new business, or write a book.
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