Time Management as a Caregiver (World Alzheimer's Month)
Managing
your time as a caregiver is challenging especially if you are taking care of
your children, other elderly, and yourself. It is also tough if you are going
to university or have a side job in addition to being a caretaker. Often you
feel frustrated, unappreciated, and always on alert because of the stress of
being a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s. You forget about taking care of
yourself and you forget your other personal to-do lists. Yet, you continue
finding the strength and the energy to be a caregiver for someone who has
Alzheimer’s.
Not that many
people understand the challenges and the bad days one has as a caregiver. Also,
the person with Alzheimer’s has a tough time understanding what is changing in
their life along with their memory loss. Every year in September is World
Alzheimer’s Month which brings awareness of this neurodegenerative disease. It
is necessary to practice time management as a caregiver for yourself and for
your loved one with Alzheimer’s. It is a tough time for you and for the entire
family.
Additionally, one
must understand the changes that are going on in the brain and the entire body
when Alzheimer’s is present. Even if you do not fully understand Alzheimer’s,
it is necessary for the family to give you the type of Alzheimer’s your loved
one has. This can help you read, do research, and understand medical diagnosis.
As well as knowing the symptoms and the changes so you can continue caregiving.
Keep in mind that as a caregiver it is vital to practice patience, compassion,
and grace.
It is estimated
that six point seven million people lived with Alzheimer’s in 2023. Also,
seventy-five percent went undiagnosed globally. Alzheimer's is difficult to
understand but it is necessary as a caregiver to find ways to take care of your
loved one. Alzheimer's can affect language, vision, behavior, thinking,
digestive issues, and other body changes in the nervous system. For example,
Logopenic Apasia affects the areas of the brain that controls languages.
Yet, another form
of Alzheimer’s affects vision which is called Posterior Cortical Atrophy. Other
forms of Alzheimer’s affect behavior and physical activities. Furthermore,
changes in bowel movements, incontinence, anger, depression, and more anxiety
are symptoms that need to be addressed with their doctor. Eating habits change
along with other habits including behavior. Make sure your behavior does not
change when you are taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s.
Be aware that
depending on the type of Alzheimer’s a person has, their language and
vocabulary changes, especially if they are angry all the time. They might
insult, hit, and do things they would not do based on their personality. It is
common for their personality, habits, interests, and dislikes change as Alzheimer’s
progresses. Their thinking process changes especially if they have Frontal
Variant Alzheimer’s Disease. After you know what type of Alzheimer’s your loved
one has, create a schedule with a to-do list.
Follow
recommendations from the doctor. Prepare healthier foods and keep track of any
digestive issues. Add fiber and keep them hydrated. Additionally, include
physical activities and never leave someone with Alzheimer’s unattended.
Incontinence, constipation, diarrhea, and other digestive issues occur with
Alzheimer’s.
Furthermore,
understand the various stages of Alzheimer’s. Be aware that towards the last
stage of Alzheimer’s, a person loses their appetite and their concerns of
hygiene. It is tough to see the changes as Alzheimer’s progresses and it is
necessary to get emotional support as a caregiver. Take care of your emotional
and physical wellness. Do not feel guilty and continue having the courage to
take care of your loved one with Alzheimer’s.
Besides a to-do
list, a schedule, and family support; Divide household chores with the family.
Hire a professional cleaning domestic engineer to help the caregiver. They can
help with housekeeping, laundry, cooking, childcare, pet care, and other
household chores. Focus your attention on your loved one's physical and
emotional needs. It is not easy to be a caregiver, and each family member must
work as a family team.
If the family is
dysfunctional, it is more difficult being a caregiver. Avoid family members
that just argue, complain, and give you negative comments about your caregiving
skills. Unfortunately, there are family members who do not care about or take
their time to see their loved one with Alzheimer’s. As well as too much
resentment, anger, and making the caregivers feel bad about themselves. Therefore,
as a caregiver, know that the entire family is affected when someone is
diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Practice
self-acceptance, self-love, and grace to continue being a caregiver. Accept
mistakes and continue improving your caregiving skills. Have a gratitude
journal to write at night before you go to sleep. Take caregiving classes if
they are offered to you. Have someone to talk to about your caregiving
experiences especially if they are non-judgmental and is an active
listener.
Have a list of
food items that your loved one does not like. Additionally have a relaxing
music playlist for them to listen to before they go to sleep. If they have too
much aggression, anxiety, insomnia; Consult with their doctor. Do not give up
being a caregiver. Continue reading about Alzheimer’s and donate to the
Alzheimer’s foundation.
Caregiving for
Alzheimer’s can be different for anyone who is experiencing it. It is a
life-changing experience, and one must be patient and have kindness. Depending
on the type of the Alzheimer’s and the classification of the three stages of
this disease; Caregivers can help family members to understand and be aware of
managing the symptoms. It is always best to consult with their medical doctor,
pharmacist, and with their caregivers to help improve the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
Nevertheless, someone with Alzheimer’s may live up to ten years or more depending
on age, lifestyle, genetics, and the level of the disease.
Wear purple this
month for World Alzheimer’s Month. Do not feel guilty to practice self-care as
a caregiver. Take turns with family members to take care of their loved one
with Alzheimer’s. Make sure they feel comfortable, calm, and less stressed out
when selecting multiple caregivers. Here are resources for World Alzheimer’s
Month.
Caregiver Time Management Skills & Tips-Aging Care:
Caregiver Time Management Skills & Tips-Aging Care
Tried and True Time Management Tips for Caregivers:
Tried and True Time Management Tips for Caregivers
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