Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is tough emotionally and physically. Use these 7 tips to help you feel more confident in your role as a caregiver.
Caring for a parent, a spouse, or other loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease can be a difficult balancing act. The disease creates unique challenges that many family caregivers have never before encountered. Caregivers must find ways to learn more about the disease, figure out where and how to find support, and make time to plan now for the changes and challenges ahead.
Here are a few caregiver tips when a senior loved one has Alzheimer’s disease.
7 Tips for Alzheimer’s Caregivers
1. Build a support network:
The challenges Alzheimer’s caregivers encounter can be physically and emotionally difficult. That’s why it’s important to create a network of friends and family who can offer emotional support when you are struggling.
Joining a support group is another avenue to consider. A variety of senior centers, places of worship, and other community centers throughout southern California regularly host these group meetings. You might also want to explore online support groups, like these hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association, to connect with peers who are facing similar struggles.
2. Promote independence:
Alzheimer’s experts’ say that the more you do for a senior with the disease, the more you take away from them. Help your senior loved one stay independent longer by allowing them to tackle tasks on their own, even if the result isn’t perfect.
This is also a best practice for communicating. You might be tempted to finish your loved one’s sentences when they are having trouble with verbal skills. Above all, try to resist that temptation. Give your loved one time to get their thoughts out even if it takes a little longer. Doing so may help slow the progression of their disease.
3. Focus on routine and life enrichment:
People with Alzheimer’s typically do better and feel more successful when they have a structured daily routine. Having set times for waking up, eating meals, and going to bed is important. The routine should also include meaningful activity, such as shared household chores, arts and crafts projects, music therapy, and forms of exercise that help reduce stress.
4. Address nutrition challenges:
Adults with Alzheimer’s often experience unintended weight loss. Sometimes it is because they struggle to manage utensils and give up trying to eat out of frustration. Other times they might have trouble concentrating on their meal. You can help by creating a quiet, distraction-free dining area for your loved one. Serve finger foods, smoothies, and protein bars that are nutritious, and easy to eat.
5. Keep learning:
Many Alzheimer’s caregivers say they worry their loved one’s needs aren’t being met. Verbal skills are often lost early in the disease process, which makes it tough for caregivers to determine if there are unmet needs. Therefore, learning as much as you can about the disease may help. The Caregiver Center is an online resource that covers topics ranging from changes that occur at each stage of Alzheimer’s to using respite services.
6. Have fun together:
Finally, caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s should be a labor of love. While spending time together might not be the same as in years past, try to find ways to have fun. Watch comedy shows from the senior’s younger days together, such as I Love Lucy, The Dick Van Dyke Show, or Father Knows Best.
You can also have dance parties in the living room, even if the senior has to dance from a seated position. Put together a playlist of their favorite songs for your dance party. It’s a great way to exercise while also lifting the spirit and boosting mood.
7. Develop an emergency care plan:
Part of being a good caregiver is planning ahead, including creating a plan for how you would handle a loved one’s care if you experience a crisis of your own. Include a list of friends and family members who can help pitch in, as well as a detailed medical history and medication list. Therefore, for some families, a caregiver back-up plan should include a local memory care community you’ve visited in-person and feel comfortable with.
Arrow Senior Care Offers Support to Caregivers
We can help you learn more about memory care communities in Southern California. Arrow Senior Care is a free referral service providing assistance to older adults and their families as they search for a senior community that best meets their needs. Learn more about how it works, or schedule a FREE phone consultation by clicking the links below today!
