{"id":2129,"date":"2018-05-23T10:38:01","date_gmt":"2018-05-23T14:38:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/assistinghands.com\/6\/?p=2129"},"modified":"2018-05-23T11:24:18","modified_gmt":"2018-05-23T15:24:18","slug":"alzheimers-caregivers-are-stressed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/6\/newjersey\/centralnj\/blog\/alzheimers-caregivers-are-stressed\/","title":{"rendered":"Alzheimer\u2019s Caregivers Are Stressed!"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are providing care for a loved one who has Alzheimer\u2019s disease or a related condition, the title of this article will not surprise you. But many people are unaware of the challenges faced by families when a loved one develops memory loss. They should become aware, say experts, who point out that our aging population means more families will someday be caring for a loved one with dementia.<\/p>\n

In late 2017, researchers from the University of Michigan partnered with the AARP to take a look at the lives of today\u2019s dementia caregivers. The report, titled \u201cDementia Caregivers\u2014Juggling, Delaying and Looking Forward,\u201d<\/a> found that while 85 percent of the caregivers studied said it\u2019s rewarding to provide care for their loved one, over<\/p>\n

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half reported that their caregiving duties interfered with taking care of their own physical and financial health. And a full 78 percent said that caring for their loved one was stressful.<\/p>\n

We know that stress is associated with poor health, affecting almost every body system, including our heart, lungs and brain. And it is a sad irony that caring for a person with Alzheimer\u2019s can be so stressful that it raises the caregiver\u2019s risk of developing dementia, in turn.<\/p>\n

How can Alzheimer\u2019s caregivers reduce their stress level and its negative effects? A study published by the American Psychosomatic Society looked at the effect of caregiver stress on blood pressure. The researchers, who were from the University of California, San Diego, found that caregivers who made time for exercise had lower blood pressure. So did caregivers who made time for hobbies and interests they enjoyed, such as spending time outdoors, watching TV, listening to music and reading.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also important to eat a healthy diet, have regular healthcare appointments, and spend time with friends and family other than your loved one. Meditation, yoga and other relaxation techniques can help you clear your mind and release tension. If you are feeling depressed or anxious, seek help from a counselor who is familiar with caregiver challenges. Dementia care can dredge up \u201cold issues\u201d in your relationship with the person you\u2019re caring for, and some of the behavior changes associated with the disease, such as aggression and paranoia, can be emotionally painful, so to keep things in perspective, and learn all you can about how the disease affects your loved one.<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds great,\u201d caregivers might say. \u201cBut where would I find the time to do all those things that relax me, when the time crunch is what\u2019s stressing me out?\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

It can be a cycle. A caregiver can find their duties gradually increasing until they\u2019re swamped\u2014and now they have no time to research support services that could help. Experts confirm that navigating these resources can be a big stress factor in itself! But for the sake of both the caregiver and their loved one, it\u2019s important to get help. If you\u2019re a caregiver, talk to family and friends about helping out. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to find out what services are available for people with dementia and their caregivers. Ask about respite care available through adult day centers and senior living communities. Learn all you can about your loved one\u2019s condition by taking a caregiver class and joining a support group where you can get tips from those in the know. An aging life care professional (geriatric care manager) can also help.<\/p>\n

If your loved one is still living at home\u2014and most people with memory loss prefer to do so as long as possible\u2014check into home care services to support your loved one\u2019s well-being and your own health. Not every caregiver will understand the special needs of your loved one, so it\u2019s important to hire from an agency that provides special training in caring for clients with dementia. A trained caregiver can provide:<\/p>\n