?? Discover Balance: The Caregiver's Path to Lasting Vitality ??♀?
Did you know that a recent study from Stanford Medicine reveals that nearly 40% of Alzheimer's caregivers pass away before the person they care for? It's not a result of disease or accidents but rather the immense physical, emotional, and spiritual toll of caregiving for those with Alzheimer's.
This alarming statistic underscores the importance of shifting our focus to caregivers just as much as the individuals living with cognitive diseases. I've been sharing strategies to safeguard your mental health, and this week, I'm highlighting the most crucial one: seeking help and taking time for yourself.
All the caregivers I've interviewed, who seem to effortlessly manage their caregiving duties, share a common practice: they regularly get assistance and prioritize self-care. This may sound simple, but it's the cornerstone of sustainable caregiving. Waiting until burnout sets in can make it much harder.
By reaching out for support and making self-care a priority, caregivers can recharge both physically and emotionally, reduce the risk of burnout, and provide better care while safeguarding their own well-being. This leads to increased vitality, resilience, and an overall better quality of life, ensuring caregivers can continue to support their loved ones effectively in the long run.
Making It Happen:
Support groups, such as those from Alzheimer’s Assoc., Lewy-Body, and FTD, can become your primary source of support. You might need to try a few to find the right fit, but it's worth prioritizing.
In addition to support groups, having hands-on help is imperative. Start early by listing your daily, weekly, and monthly responsibilities, as well as appointments.
Step two involves matching these tasks with people in your network who can easily handle them. The more you align the tasks with their skills and personalities, the smoother their involvement will be.
Step Three is simple; when someone offers help, be prepared with specific tasks they can assist with. By involving others early, you also give them time to learn about your loved one's disease and adapt to changes.
If you didn't have this knowledge earlier, it's never too late to compile a list of tasks and people to ask for help. Making it easy for others to assist and not making them feel overwhelmed will create a path to success in maintaining your own well-being. I go into more detail here.
Making Time For Yourself: Self-Care in Minutes
We know you're busy, but you deserve a break! It's time to prioritize yourself. Here's a simple way to start:
领英推荐
Stay tuned for more self-care tips in our next email! ?? ??
Specialized In-Home Care: Maximizing Cognitive Health for Vibrant Living
It's no secret that the aging US population and those with memory care needs present unique challenges regarding in-home care.
We explore these issues further with Dr. Allen, addressing the guilt that often comes with finding alternative care options. We share a hearty discussion about the joy of caring for elderly friends and the complexities of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's.
You'll gain invaluable insights into how caregivers can ensure they also care for themselves in these taxing circumstances.
Catch-up episode:
Caring for the Caregiver: Charlotte Bayla's Self-Care Revolution
As caregivers, it's not unusual to have days we want to run away. However, these feelings give us feelings of shame and guilt. Society has an unstated opinion that caregivers should be happy with their current situation and cope better!
As a meditation and yoga teacher, this week's guest, Charlotte Bayla, assumed continuing her self-care practices after her husband's cancer diagnosis would be easy. When she struggled, she realized that other caregivers likely had a more challenging time, so she started the Loving Your Caregiving Life podcast.
Charlotte is joining me to discuss why caregivers don't get the recognition they need as a vital part of the caregiving team. We also discuss ways to give ourselves the acknowledgment and respect we deserve.