I had an opportunity to visit with Alzheimer's community resource specialist Jacque Murray yesterday, who was giving Caregiver Consultations at the Central Coast Seniors Center, San Luis Obispo area, California, where I write a blog for their organization. Jacque Murray, of the San Luis Obispo, California, Alzheimer's Association became a Caregiver's Consultant after her mother passed away from Alzheimer's ten years ago.
Jacque said she is concerned that many people who could benefit from resources offered by the Alzheimer's Association are not aware of the support that is provided, as well as the educational resources. She offers one-to-one visits where caregivers can have an opportunity to sit down with someone and discuss resources and ideas that will be of help.
When a diagnosis of Alzheimer's is made by a doctor a family may not know where to turn for help or who to call. They also may not be familiar with what to expect, how to cope, where to learn how to communicate and provide caregiving, and where to find resources. Your local Alzheimer's organization is there to answer questions, provide groups for sharing, and provide education for caregivers.
She also works with Alzheimer's Support Groups in the area where people share experiences and get educational information to help them cope.
To find your local Alzheimer's Association you can go to their website for locations. Isolation is often a problem for Alzheimer's Caregivers and attending one of the support groups and can provide an opportunity to share with others and make friends.
Education about Alzheimer's has been proven in studies to reduce the stress level of Alzheimer's caregivers, and your local Alzheimer's organization can be your educational resource as well as a support resource. The article at News Daily titled "Family Caregivers Life Shortened" explained the study in which the stress and exhaustion of being an Alzheimer's caregiver can shorten life by an average of 4 to 8 years.
The recent news articles, which were not unexpected, about the effects of stress and exhaustion on Alzheimer's caregivers, emphasize the importance of support for the caregivers. "Caregiver Syndrome," is described at CNN and you can read about it if you click on the link, and find it by doing a search on the website search box.
Showing posts with label caregiver self care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label caregiver self care. Show all posts
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Caring for the Exhausted Caregiver
Last evening I talked to a friend from another state who is also a caregiver. This friend has been home for a week resting and sleeping after having basically collapsed from exhaustion. This caregiver is a paid caregiver, and lives to help others, to serve, and to minister to the needs of others. It is frightening to hear the long hours, lack of sleep, isolation,self-sacrifice, and obvious exhaustion that has occurred with this caregiver, and with others.
When a caregiver is so exhausted from long hours and stress that a week of staying home, mostly resting and sleeping, is the result, then it's time to try to find ways to make changes to relieve this. But it's easy to say and hard to do.
Family caregivers find it hard to find or afford help, so they keep on going, often without rest, exercise, or time to relax. If they care for someone who needs assistance to reach the bathroom they may be getting up many times per night, plus assisting all day.
Paid caregivers earn minimum or low wages, and they are trying to survive so it is tempting to overwork. Plus they often love to help others and they neglect themselves. They often work long rows of 24 hour shifts, getting up frequently during the night to provide assistance, plus providing stand by assistance during the day.
Family caregivers are often unable to pay for hired help, and often unable to find trained volunteers who are accustomed to dealing with people with mid to late dementia or Alzheimer's, or other illnesses and injuries. They keep on going as exhaustion and stress accumulate.
The recent articles on "Caregiver Syndrome" highlighted this, but many people have no conception what it is really like for these caregivers. The other recent articles that spoke of the effects of caregiving on health and longevity made it clear that research shows caregivers are less healthy than noncaregivers.
Last evening I tried to get the idea across to my exhausted friend, who was returning to work. But the problem remains of how a caregiver can really get help before her or his own health gives out too. Whether someone is a family caregiver or a paid caregiver with a desire or avocation to serve the needs of others the stress and exhaustion have been well documented.
I am thinking some special positive thoughts for my friend, and for all the exhausted, stressed caregivers out there. But, I wish there was something more concrete to do in order to help.
An easy solution to the current caregiver crisis is difficult to find, and it won't get easier in the future as more people are needed to act as caregivers for an aging population. When the caregivers need care too, because exhaustion and stress has made them ill, what can be done?
There are many lists of self-care tips, but many caregivers don't have a moment to catch their breath between the demands of taking care of loved ones who may have multiple issues that need to be addressed.
When a caregiver is so exhausted from long hours and stress that a week of staying home, mostly resting and sleeping, is the result, then it's time to try to find ways to make changes to relieve this. But it's easy to say and hard to do.
Family caregivers find it hard to find or afford help, so they keep on going, often without rest, exercise, or time to relax. If they care for someone who needs assistance to reach the bathroom they may be getting up many times per night, plus assisting all day.
Paid caregivers earn minimum or low wages, and they are trying to survive so it is tempting to overwork. Plus they often love to help others and they neglect themselves. They often work long rows of 24 hour shifts, getting up frequently during the night to provide assistance, plus providing stand by assistance during the day.
Family caregivers are often unable to pay for hired help, and often unable to find trained volunteers who are accustomed to dealing with people with mid to late dementia or Alzheimer's, or other illnesses and injuries. They keep on going as exhaustion and stress accumulate.
The recent articles on "Caregiver Syndrome" highlighted this, but many people have no conception what it is really like for these caregivers. The other recent articles that spoke of the effects of caregiving on health and longevity made it clear that research shows caregivers are less healthy than noncaregivers.
Last evening I tried to get the idea across to my exhausted friend, who was returning to work. But the problem remains of how a caregiver can really get help before her or his own health gives out too. Whether someone is a family caregiver or a paid caregiver with a desire or avocation to serve the needs of others the stress and exhaustion have been well documented.
I am thinking some special positive thoughts for my friend, and for all the exhausted, stressed caregivers out there. But, I wish there was something more concrete to do in order to help.
An easy solution to the current caregiver crisis is difficult to find, and it won't get easier in the future as more people are needed to act as caregivers for an aging population. When the caregivers need care too, because exhaustion and stress has made them ill, what can be done?
There are many lists of self-care tips, but many caregivers don't have a moment to catch their breath between the demands of taking care of loved ones who may have multiple issues that need to be addressed.
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