It Is Vital For Caregivers To Renew Themselves

 

 

It is Vital

for Alzheimer’s Caregivers

to Renew Themselves

 

A Caregiver must seek reprieve
which is specifically designed
to physically, mentally and emotionally
distance the Caregiver from their day to day
Alzheimer’s Care Giving Responsibilities.

 

 

Alzheimer’s patient care giving is physically, mentally and emotionally draining. Exceptionally. You can bet that eventually, emotional, mental and physical exhaustion will arrive. In spades. Caregivers must Renew Themselves in order to be able to keep themselves in a position wherein they will remain able to provide continuing proper care.

 

Friend, many of you are super men and women. Already, because of your participation in the care of your loved one… there is no question about that! Still, when you provide such demanding care for an extended period of time with little or even completely without respite, you simply cannot continue to be as effective a Caregiver as you otherwise could.

While your own foundational spirit is one which encompasses kindness, patience, goodness, faithfulness, et al, for the benefit of the recipient… and surely that’s at least basically true, else you wouldn’t be providing such demanding care for another… you nonetheless don’t leap over tall buildings nor fly with a cape. Thus, in order to continue to function properly… you need regular breaks!

 

 

Be aware of another problem with which you will likely contend. There is a ‘built in’ difficulty with being a person holding the proven qualities you exhibit within your character. The problem shows itself after a period of time when constantly coming up against the many and varied arenas of stress inherent to caring for an Alzheimer’s victim. The Problem: It is not out of the question you’ll from time to time become aware that that which is blossoming within you prompts a question relative to the authenticity of your traditional character. That is, you’ll at times discover yourself being less than kind, patient, et al, and sometimes sharply so. And friend, to one whose character is perhaps even the direct opposite of such… that can be a very troubling realization!

There are a multitude of things which might arise and bring you to such a point. A few examples might be you yet again come to grips with the realization your responsibility to properly care for the persistent mental, emotional or medical difficulties of your Alzheimer patient is seemingly… never ending. Or, you’ll experience the onset of yet another, another and yet another in a seemingly endless variety of new care giving questions, concerns and responsibilities with which you must internalize and take appropriate action. Ever demanding. Never a let up. Then you must deal with the sometimes recurrent thought which yet again brings you to a point you re-think the idea to just ‘give up’. Friend, there are a myriad of possibilities/probabilities which seem to constantly arise to side track your loving progression. Each one lessening your self confidence or willingness to continue at the high level of providing care at which you know you are capable.

 

From time to time
it is quite natural to find yourself
at odds and sometimes even overtly angry at yourself
due to your recognition
of an attitude that is not necessarily
a standard part of your traditional character.
Not to worry, though…

 

As difficult as such a recognition is to discover and internally face, expect it. Even look forward to it. That, because from time to time such a revelation is not a bad thing, at all. Such recognition prompts you to pause and take a step back. Then you’ll begin to reevaluate your goals, methods, your manner of implementation as well as the underlying motive behind what you are doing as well as the manner in which you are proceeding toward the goal of accomplishing the tasks which are before you. Self analysis, self analysis without beating yourself up, is always a good thing!

 

Friend, it’s always better to pause,
identify problem areas, even forgive yourself…
then regroup and move forward.
Through that process
you’ll become better able to continue
to more properly provide your care giving responsibilities.

 

Will you make mistakes? Of course! I regularly remind myself that when dealing with someone whose rational mind might come and go even on a moment by moment basis, every moment, every situation is different. Thus, I am bound to make general mistakes. Rather than beat myself up when discovering I’ve erred, I’ve learned it’s better for me to persistently attempt to become ever more self aware in order to avoid catching myself only after the negative particulars of a flawed character have once again risen.

Beware, friend, not to emotionally harm yourself. Even though the recognition of a flaw in your character is no fun, be glad for that recognition no matter when or how you discover it. Then simply pull back, regroup and begin again. NOTE: When things of this nature seem to come upon you with increasing regularity, that’s usually a pronounced signal coming from deep within – telling you that it is time to do whatever is necessary in order to get a very, very good break. A break which far removes your body, spirit and soul from the seemingly unending day to day grind. By so doing, you’ll become much better able to recapture and stabilize the best within you. Then, when you return to hands on care, you’ll again be on top of things.

How do you head these things off before you find yourself behind the eight ball and attempting to ‘catch up’? The ideal thing is to try to prearrange necessary breaks which are vital to help you maintain your ability to properly care for your loved one. Make advance arrangements in order to keep yourself mentally, emotionally and physically healthy. Moreover, also try to always have ‘an ace in the hole’ so on a moments notice you can at least …physically… even if not mentally or emotionally depart for even a short time. Again, you are not super man nor super woman. You need a break! You need to regroup!

 

 

But what do you do if you are alone, isolated and for lack of help or any other reason just can’t get away even for a very short time? That, of course, makes life infinitely more difficult! Nevertheless, sometimes just a minute change in the regularity of your day to day motions will accomplish wonders for your psyche. Really!

One thing to consider is the installation of surveillance cameras placed in a manner structured to provide the most all inclusive viewing possible. After that’s done, create a ‘hide away’ in the garage, basement, attic or anywhere the person you are caring for won’t easily see nor remember. Try to choose a spot they normally didn’t frequent during the course of their days before becoming an Alzheimer’s Victim. Such a hideaway will give you a space, a cushion if you will, within which to physically remove yourself for awhile. When you have the surveillance camera system in place, it then becomes fairly easy to escape the constant, moment by moment grind while still keeping a very watchful eye on your loved one. Inclusive of that, develop an invigorating hobby; open an Online Business; etc., etc., etc., in order to provide your mind an exciting focus. Friend, such an endeavor provides a phenomenal opportunity for you to… constantly …regroup. I strongly advise such a thing.

Other helps include contracting with a little girl or boy living down the street to come over for a short while to simply show the afflicted person the drawings they’ve done, the toys they have. etc., etc., etc. Sometimes, just to visit and talk for a short while.

Sometimes dining in a different room or even outside on the porch or the backyard, moving the furniture, etc. will effectively change the mood of… YOUR OWN …inner self. While it’s necessary to remain consistent and have a routine for your afflicted loved one, YOUR life doesn’t necessarily have to include such detailed routine. In fact, it’s often a little better without it. Particularly when caring for an Alzheimer’s Victim. Sprinkle your life with lots of small variances. You’ll find your spirit rises.

How will the change of routine effect your loved one? Consistency can most often be momentarily laid to rest by the mere suggestion that instead of all the changes around the house… you are now ‘on vacation’ and, ‘aren’t we enjoying all these new sights? We’ll be back home before too long. Now, though, let’s just have fun.’ All the while, because even in such a limited fashion you have in fact done what YOU’VE wanted to do, YOUR mood is uplifted for a time which means you have to a degree regrouped mentally and emotionally for the purpose to better care for your loved one. Obviously then, looking out for YOURSELF is not a bad thing! Remember that, because often, no one else will. Particularly if your siblings or extended family is for whatever ‘justifiable’ reasons not actively participating with you as you fulfill necessary care giving responsibilities for your parent, husband or wife.

As simple as the things such as have just been mentioned are, you might be surprised at the results you will internally experience. Now, what things can you think of which might enhance your opportunities to renew yourself?

Traveling the neighborhood in a golf cart? Pushing your loved one in a rickshaw? Putting wheels on a chair or bed and traveling the neighborhood? Walking or pushing through the zoo? A drive in the country? Buying a bunny rabbit? When you think of things which will enhance… your …life, chances are they will also enhance the… Victim’s …life, as well.

 

A fun way to recurrently renew yourself…

‘Lighter Side‘