The Caregiver's Role

Everyone with Alzheimer’s disease at some point will need help from a caregiver.  Sometimes a family member will meet this need; often a paid caregiver will do so.  Whomever is filling this role, they will need to make many adjustments from the time the diagnosis is given.  Fear of what will happen and how they will be able to manage the manifestations of the disease is very common.  Thus, the best thing that the caregiver can do is to gain understanding of the disease.  Most of all, if you are a family caregiver and are feeling overwhelmed, do not feel guilty if you are unable to fill the caregiver’s role yourself.  Not everyone can fill this very difficult task. 

If hiring a home health assistant, they must: provide adequate supervision with activities of daily living, ensure the patient’s medical well being, provide assistance with daily chores, provide assistance with personal care, and provide companionship and psychological support. If the family member is working as a daily caregiver, here are some valuable tips:

•  Get enough sleep.  It is vital to take care of oneself.  Exhaustion makes it harder to cope with your loved-one’s demands.
• Eat well and pay attention to nutrition.
• Keep medical appointments and follow your doctor’s orders.
• Set aside some personal time just for you.
• Find ways to put enjoyment and relaxation into each day.
• Join a support group!!! Make friends with others in similar situations and share your concerns and helpful tips.
• Cultivate patience.  Becoming angry and frustrated will only make the situation worse.
• Try meditation, deep breathing, and exercise often.
• Let family and friends help.  Ask them for help if they do not offer.  Do not let yourself become isolated, as no one can do this alone.  Make up schedules for other family members so everyone can share some caregiving chore.
•  Learn about community resources and make use of community support.
• Plan ahead for emergencies and the future.  Consider an elder law attorney for help with Medicaid planning, VA benefit programs for caregiving needs, and special needs trusts for asset planning.
•  Consider utilizing private or subsidized in-home respite care, individual counseling and day care programs.
• Be realistic.  Feeling guilty about what you cannot do may keep you from doing what you can. 

Remember, you may always hire a certified geriatric care manager who will oversee a loved one’s needs for caregiving, medical appointments, medications management, caregiver supervision, educating family members about the illness, and teaching them that the patient’s behavior is not intentional even when it is repetitious, difficult, or abrasive .  For more information go to www.AGoodDaughter.com or contact 561-392-3574 to set up a complimentary meeting with our care managers.