AFA
12 Ways to Boost Caregiver Success
- Educate yourself about the disease. Read books, attend workshops and consult with
healthcare professionals.
- Learn caregiving techniques. Key areas are communication skills, safety concerns,
and managing behavioral challenges and activities of daily living.
- Understand the experience of your loved one. Adjust your expectations. Be patient
and kind.
- Avoid caregiver burnout. Make time for yourself. Join caregiver support groups.
Pursue interests beyond your caregiving role, such as exercise, hobbies, journaling
and art.
- Maintain your own physical and mental health. Exercise, respite and other activities
can reduce stress. Seek medical help if there are signs of depression.
- Discuss the situation with family and friends. Support systems are critical.
- Do cognitive stimulation activities with your loved one. Listening to music, word
puzzles and memory games can easily be done at home.
- Foster communication with physicians. Be involved in your loved one's medical care.
Ask questions about the progression of the disease, express concerns and discuss
treatment options.
- Take care of financial, legal and long-term care planning issues. Try to involve
your loved one in decision-making, if they are still capable of providing input,
and consider their wishes related to future care and end-of-life issues.
- Smile. Kindness, humor and creativity are essential parts of caregiving. Hugs, hand
massage and other gentle physical contact will help your loved one feel connected
and loved.
- Think positive. Focus on your loved one's remaining strengths and enjoy your relationship
while you are still able to.
- Reach out for care. Call the Alzheimer's
Foundation of America—866.AFA.8484, for
counseling, information and referrals to local resources nationwide.
For more information, please go to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America website.
Questions Wanted
Even experienced caregivers come across baffling situations every day. Join the
conversation by sharing your questions, concerns, and tough decisions. When you
do, please be as specific as possible.
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More Q & A
First, be sure that your father has been thoroughly assessed by a physician and that he is properly diagnosed.
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For persons with dementia, a trip out of the home environment, whether to a doctor's
appointment or anything else, can lead to confusion and upset…
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Resistance to going to a doctor is not uncommon among people who have been diagnosed
with Alzheimer's disease.
[ more
]
