Three Curses of Alzheimer’s Caregivers
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Alzheimer’s disease is one of our biggest plagues. It is the most common form of dementia, which causes loss of memory and cognitive abilities that affect daily life. 7 million Americans And 55 million people worldwide suffer from this terrible disease, with no cure, delay or preventive measures. Do you know what I mean? A true plague.
Furthermore, Alzheimer’s disease shatters the lives of the family, friends and caregivers of the sick, but is merely a caregiver. I will talk from experience as I looked after my wife Elaine during the course of a 20-year match against Alzheimer’s.
Over time, my first Elaine faded more and more. I shared a misstep. As the years went by, I learned a lot about how best to take care of my second Elaine. I suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.
Around the world, seven million Americans and 55 million people suffer from this horrific disease with no means of treatment, delay or prevention. (istock)
Caring for our loved ones is a challenge in itself. These challenges are devastating with the behavior and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, which is the direct result of the disease.
Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia can be prevented with experimental drugs, researchers say
The issues that bother patients directly affect caregivers, and it’s easy to feel totally hopeless after losing control. But sometimes, as caregivers, we forget to deal with the challenges of things that we can control, such as the curse of the three caregivers.
Ignorance: What’s worse than Alzheimer’s is the ignorance of illness
Ignorance does not understand or accept that all the troops are marching or sailing You can’t stop Alzheimer’s disease And its merciless effect.
As caregivers, we have limited power, but knowledge is powerful. We know that we can help our loved ones live the best possible life. We can do this by participating in their world. why? Because as long as we try to keep them in our world, both patients and caregivers are experiencing even greater stress, anxiety and despair.
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Instead of trying to correct or remind your loved one, look for moments of shared joy. Finding that joy begins with understanding and overcoming ignorance.
Alcohol: Easy to lean out – But this “caregiver’s poison” is a toxic support
These two things should be a bit surprising: one is that caregivers turn to alcohol Dealing with immeasurable stressthe emotional burden and physical fatigue of caregiving. Second, that alcohol is not the answer to the caregiver’s problem. Again, I will speak from experience.
There was a time when I looked to alcohol to deal with sad situations, dealing with drinks every night, and congratulating me on another day as a caregiver. I wasn’t full of pride – I was simply relieved to spend a few hours on myself. Alcohol has helped me numb my heart and escape reality.
Alzheimer’s disease took my wife out of me and she was 55 years old. This is what you need to know
Sometimes drinking at the end of a long day can help fill in and deal with the blanks. Cocktails are a social alternative. Beer is the place to replace friends and family. But there is a better way to give it. I was fortunate to be a “short attack” as my daughter and doctor intervened quickly in my bad habits.
Instead of having a drink, we have learned that caregivers must face reality and force them to make healthy decisions for their overall wellbeing. Find ways to socialize, take breaks from time to time, or join support groups. Avoid succumbing to this caregiver’s poison.
hubris: Don’t let your pride get in the way of your loved one’s best life
hub arrogance is the pride of blinds. While caring for my wife, there was a time when my own hub arrogance (a misguided arrogance that Elaine can provide what she needs) got in the way of her best life.
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This hub arrogance arises from a Caregiver stressburnout and our behavior are unrecognized and unappreciated. As solo caregivers, we feel isolated and abandoned. A sense of negative responsiveness, overwhelmedness, and loneliness feeds each other. We start to think, “I’m the only one who can do that.”
The truth is that strong emotions like love and anger are what we behave in ways that go against common sense. We must learn to let go and take practical steps to regulate our mental, emotional and physical well-being so that we can act rationally.
As caregivers, we forget to address the challenges of what we can control, such as the three curses of caregivers. (istock)
Proper sleep, a balanced diet, and regular exercise can improve cognitive function. Socializing, seeking help, and seeking support help us feel solely responsible, not too lonely.
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We must do Allow others to become caregivers too. If your loved one needs more care than you can give at home, take it from me: you are not “putting” them in a care facility, you are giving them their biggest chances in life. This was a big hurdle for my own hub arrogance, but care facilities were certainly the best decision for Elaine’s best life.
And that’s all that caregivers can do. Help your loved one live the best possible life. We can do that only by living too Ours The best possible life – avoid the three curses of caregivers and control what we can do with illnesses that are otherwise out of control.