Alzheimer Disease and the Caregiver

Being a caregiver can takes its toll on you as an individual.  Caregivers are often in a high risk category when it comes to developing problems that are both emotional and physical.  You need to be aware of these risks so that you can take the steps that are necessary to take care of yourself.  After all, if you’re experiencing your own problems, how can you be a good caregiver to someone who is counting on you?  Take the time to maintain your own health by eating well and making time in your schedule to exercise.  Don’t give up the activities that you enjoy doing because you don’t think that you have time for them.  Caring for someone doesn’t mean that you have to give up the quality of your own life at the same time.

Look for the help that you need so that you can be a good caregiver.  There are many community resources and services for caregivers that you can rely on to give you updated information and support.  Some of these services will include help with household tasks as well as with the job of caring for an Alzheimer patient.  Build up a network of family and friends who can be there to help you out when you need it.  Take a moment to determine what your strengths and weaknesses are in your role as a caregiver.  Then make a list of people who you can count on to help you in certain situations so that you have a backup team in place.  Learn how the community resources in your area operate so that you access them when you need them.

You also need to have a support network for your emotions and feelings.  You need to have some place where you can talk about your anger, fears, frustrations, and other emotions.  This network of support can consist of your family, friends, or other members of a support group.  There are support groups around the country that have been created specifically for caregivers of Alzheimer patients.  Don’t become isolated and lonely when you become weighed down with the emotions of being a caregiver.

The Alzheimer Society is there for you to access at any time.  The Society is available for a large variety of support issues including (1) providing you with information about the disease, (2) providing you with information to be a caregiver, (3) strategies for coping, (4) providing support over the phone or in a support group, and (5) helping you find other caregiver services in the area where you live.