5 Things to Avoid when Caring for People with Dementia

I found this Video to be very helpful to me as a new Caregiver

 

Beloved Caregiver is now on YouTube

Beloved Caregiver is now on YouTube. I have created a YouTube Channel to capture some precious moments. Here are a few Videos of Mom. To view other videos just log onto YouTube and type in Beloved Caregiver. More Videos will be posted soon.

 

Tips to become a Better Dementia Caregiver

I saw this Video and thought it was informative and wanted to share with those that are Caregivers of a Loved One with Dementia. Remember to take Care of yourself as you care for others.

 

Cargiver Pampering – Pedicure

A week ago I received the Best Spa Pedicure ever by Miss Vi. It was Awesome!  A Wonderful time of Personal Care and Pampering to my feet. It felt so good and was a Great Stress Reliever as well. Special thanks to my 2 Sisters,  Cyndi and Retta for setting this up. (xoxox)

This is also one of my accomplishments from my Caregiver’s Wishlist that I share a few weeks ago.

 

Reducing Caregiver Stress

As a Caregiver, you need to take care of yourself. You are the most important person in the life of someone with Alzheimer’s disease. There are things you can do to help maintain your health and well-being.

1. Learn about the disease
   Knowing as much as you can about the disease and care strategies will prepare you for the Alzheimer journey. Understanding how the disease affects the person will help you comprehend and adapt to the changes.
2. Be realistic…about the disease
   It is important, though difficult, to be realistic about the disease and how it will affect the person over time. If you can be realistic, it will be easier for you to adjust your expectations.
3. Be realistic…about yourself
   You need to be realistic about how much you can do. What do you value most? A walk with the person you are caring for, time by yourself, or a tidy house? There is no “right” answer; only you know what matters most to you and how much you can do.
4. Accept your feelings
   When caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease, you will have many mixed feelings. In a single day, you may feel contented, angry, guilty, happy, sad, embarrassed, afraid and helpless. These feelings may be confusing. But they are normal. Recognize that you are doing the best you can.
5. Share information and feelings with others
   Sharing information about the disease with family and friends will help them understand what is happening and better prepare them to provide the help and support you need. It is also important to share your feelings. Find someone with whom you feel comfortable talking about your feelings. This may be a close friend or family member, someone you met at an Alzheimer support group, a member of your religious community, or a health-care professional.
6. Be positive
   Your attitude can make a difference to the way you feel. Try to look at the positive side of things. Focusing on what the person can do, as opposed to the abilities lost, can make things easier. Try to make every day count. There can still be times that are special and rewarding.
7. Look for humour
   While Alzheimer’s disease is serious, you may find certain situations have a bright side. Maintaining a sense of humour can be a good coping strategy.
8. Take care of yourself
   Your health is important. Do not ignore it. Eat proper meals and exercise regularly. Find ways to relax and try to get the rest you need. Make regular appointments with your doctor for checkups. You also need to take regular breaks from caregiving. Do not wait until you are too exhausted to plan this. Take time to maintain interests and hobbies. Keep in touch with friends and family so you will not feel lonely and isolated. These things will give you strength to continue providing care.
9. Get help
   Support: You will need the support that comes from sharing thoughts and feelings with others. This could be individually, with a professional, or as part of an Alzheimer support group. Choose the form of support with which you are most comfortable.
   Practical help: It can be hard to ask for and accept help. But asking for help is not a sign of inadequate caregiving. You cannot care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease alone. Ask family and friends for help. Most people will be willing to assist you. There may also be programs in your community that offer assistance with household chores or caregiving tasks. Your local Alzheimer Society can help you access these.
10. Plan for the future
    Planning for the future can help relieve stress. While the person with Alzheimer’s disease is still capable, review his or her financial situation and plan accordingly. Choices relating to future health and personal care decisions should be considered and recorded. Legal and estate planning should also be discussed. As well, think about an alternate caregiving plan in the event that you are unable to provide care in the future.

Excerpt from the Alzheimer Society of Canada

 

A Caregiver’s Wishlist

A Caregiver’s Wishlist

•  I wish I had a day at the Spa. I would love to have a Full Body Massage and a Facial. 

• I wish I could go to the Nail Salon and have a Manicure, Pedicure and Eyebrow Wax.
•  

• I wish I could go the YMCA to Aqua Aerobics, Aqua Boot Camp and Aqua Zumba.
•  

• I wish I could have a Dinner and Movie night. I would probably go to one of my favorite restaurants – Smokey Bones BBQ and Grille, the Texas Roadhouse or the Olive Garden. I haven’t been to the Movies in a while perhaps I could go to a Matinee and see another movie after it.
•  

• I wish I could go on a Shopping Spree. I need some new clothes; I would love to get some Costume Jewelry; and also go to Victoria Secrets (my favorite scents are Pear and Love Spell). Perhaps one day I could even go Shopping in New York City.
•  

• I wish I could have a day off (wishful thinking).  

• I wish I could have a Weekend Getaway. I would stay at a very nice Hotel and order take out or room service (It will be so nice not to have to cook). This would also be a good time to do some Inspirational writing and complete some Booklets and Books that I have started.
•  

• I wish I could go on a Vacation for a week in a warm climate either in Hawaii or in the Bahamas. I would love to stay in a nice Resort; do some Sightseeing and get some much needed Relaxation.
• This is my Wishlist that I hope to accomplish.
• Beloved Daughter   

 

What is a Caregiver?

 

What is a Caregiver?
A caregiver is anyone who provides help to another person in need. Usually, the person receiving care has a condition such as dementia, cancer, or brain injury and needs help with basic daily tasks. Caregivers help with many things such as:

•Grocery shopping
•House cleaning
•Cooking
•Shopping
•Paying bills
•Giving medicine
•Bathing
•Using the toilet
•Dressing
•Eating

People who are not paid to provide care are known as informal caregivers or family caregivers. The most common type of informal caregiving relationship is an adult child caring for an elderly parent. Other types of caregiving relationships include:

•Adults caring for other relatives, such as grandparents, siblings, aunts, and uncles

•Spouses caring for elderly husbands or wives

•Middle-aged parents caring for severely disabled adult children

•Adults caring for friends and neighbors

•Children caring for a disabled parent or elderly grandparent

Who are our Nation’s Caregivers?

Most Americans will be informal caregivers at some point during their lives. During any given year, there are more than 44 million Americans (21% of the adult population) who provide unpaid care to an elderly or disabled person 18 years or older. Altogether, informal caregivers provide 80 percent of the long-term care in the United States.

•Sixty-one percent of caregivers are women.

•Most caregivers are middle-aged.

>•Thirteen percent of caregivers are aged 65 years and older.

•Fifty-nine percent of informal caregivers have jobs in addition to caring for another person. Because of time spent caregiving, more than half of employed women caregivers have made changes at work, such as going in late, leaving early, or working fewer hours.

 

Introduction

In November of 2014 my 83 year old Mom was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia. Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects memory, thinking, language, judgment, and behavior.

My Mom was a very Strong Woman of Faith, a Single Divorced Mother that worked very hard all of her life to provide for us. She raised us in a God fearing home and we attended Church regularly. In fact she chose to retire at age 70. Unfortunately at this time her health began to decline significantly. She had several health issues over the years which include Glaucoma, Hypertension and Osteoarthritis in various parts of her body. As a result she can no longer live independently and needs assistance 24 hours. As a result I have become her Primary Caregiver.

I have created this Blog to share about my experience in being a Caregiver to my Beloved Mother, Barbara. I will also post information about Dementia to help bring awareness to others.

The above picture was taken in the Common room of the Rehab Center my Mom stayed at for 1 week in November 2014. She was discharged on the Saturday just before Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,
Beloved Caregiving Daughter