Having a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease can mean you’ll have a long road ahead of you caring for his needs and keeping him safe and healthy as he loses the ability to care for himself. There are many options for the kind of care he’ll receive, but if you have decided to take on the responsibility of walking alongside him and caring for him in your home as his disease progresses, you need to do more than just make plans for how to care for him. You need to make plans for how to care for yourself as well, including hiring dementia care providers to step in and take over as you take a break.
Without Intentional Planning, Caregiver Burnout is Common
As you begin the path of caregiving or as your loved one’s needs change, you will begin to experience more responsibilities that fall to you to provide for your loved one. What may have started as just a few minor adjustments to your weekly or daily schedule may become round-the-clock care without any break for yourself if you don’t plan for those needed breaks.
The most common reasons caregivers reach a point of burnout are conflicting demands (not being able to please everyone), too much to do that keeps piling up, emotional wear and tear from daily abuse, feelings of being all alone in the situation, and seeing no respite on the horizon. While it’s not uncommon for a caregiver to feel some of these powerful emotions during their time as a caregiver, having a plan for them and knowing relief is right around the corner can help you weather the toughest of days.
Three Key Steps to Preventing Burnout as a Caregiver
Learn As Much as You Can About Alzheimer’s Disease
Understanding Alzheimer’s disease and the many technical terms around it can help you communicate better with your loved one’s doctors and other caregivers so that you don’t feel overwhelmed by conversations or health directives that don’t make sense to you. This knowledge can also help you both mentally and physically prepare for changes that may come in the future so you aren’t taken completely by surprise by changes in your loved one’s health or behaviors.
Take Care of Your Physical and Emotional Needs as Well
This is an area many caregivers struggle with. To reduce the risk of burnout, caregivers need to set aside time regularly to care for themselves. You should make sure you still attend all routine doctor, dental, and mental health appointments that you did before you started caring for your loved one. When possible, keep up with those “fun” activities like a book club or Saturday morning pickleball.
Build Up a Support Network
To reduce the risk of burnout, don’t try to do it all yourself. A network of friends, family, and dementia care providers can help you have people to lean on when times are tough. Dementia care providers can be a great resource for staying with your loved one for an hour while you run errands or entertain your loved one with games and conversation. Having a dementia care provider on your team from day one will ensure you’ll get the occasional respite you need while your loved one has a familiar and trusted person he can spend time with when you are away.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Dementia Care Services in Tamarac, FL, please contact the caring staff at Star Multi Care today. Call 954-962-0926
Star Multi Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Florida including Palm Beach, Miami Dade, and Broward County.
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