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Preparing for Your Dementia Caregiving Journey

Becoming the caregiver for a loved one with dementia is a life-changing event. But it can help to know that you’re not going through it alone. In the United States today, there are approximately 15 million people serving as caregivers for a loved one with dementia. Since there is no known cure for dementia, and medical treatments are limited, your caregiving is what will make the biggest impact on your loved one’s quality of life.

“Caregiving is an incredibly demanding role, but we have also seen that it can be incredibly rewarding as well,” says Beth Vellante, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover, a memory care assisted living community in Andover, MA. “It truly is a labor of love. But it is a labor, and the best way to be a successful caregiver is to research and prepare yourself for the journey ahead.”

Gaining Knowledge for the Future

The first step for any caregiver is to learn about what to expect as the dementia progresses.

“The biggest challenge for many caregivers is accepting what your loved one is going through,” says Beth. “This is hard, and you may have to face acceptance at each new stage of the disease as your loved one’s abilities shift and change. By giving yourself the opportunity to mourn, you’ll be able to move forward and find satisfaction and even joy in your role.”

You’ll also want to take some time to research dementia and its symptoms. This will allow you to better predict and expect what will happen in the future. For instance, if your loved one is in the early stages of dementia, you can be supportive by allowing him or her as much independence as possible and only helping out in small ways. However, as the disease progresses, you can expect that his or her abilities will decline until eventually 24-hour care is required.

You (and your loved one) should also consult with the primary doctor and other members of the medical team to formulate a care plan, as well as contact a financial advisor or legal help to make appropriate arrangements for the future. What long-term care options are available? How will medical care be paid for? Who will hold power of attorney?

Making these decisions are not fun and can be difficult to face, but the sooner you start making plans, the more your loved one will be able to share his or her wishes and be involved in the planning process.

Developing Your Support Plan

Besides planning for the financial and practical requirements of being a caregiver, you also need to make plans for your own self-care. It’s easy to let your own needs fall by the wayside when you’re caregiving someone with dementia, but in order to provide the best care, you must focus on yourself, as well. Put together a plan to allow yourself time to decompress, relax and get the support you need. Here are some ideas:

Join a support group. Just knowing that you’re not alone can be priceless. By joining a support group, whether in-person or online, you’ll be joined with others who have faced the same challenges to gain valuable knowledge. This can also help you reduce feelings of fear, isolation and hopelessness (while making strong friendships).

Ask for help. There’s no way you will be able to do everything on your own – and you shouldn’t have to. Many family members, friends and acquaintances will offer to help – take them up on that offer! And feel free to reach out to others with specific requests, too. By asking for help with things like grocery shopping, driving to appointments or cleaning, you’re freed up to spend more time with your patient. .

Make use of resources in your area. There are many community and online resources to help you out in your caregiving journey. Memory care communities, senior centers and the local Alzheimer’s organization are all great places to start. Organizations such as these have extensive experience helping caregivers, and can put you in touch with support organizations and groups.

Find Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Caregiver stress and burnout are very real results of trying to do too much, too often. Approximately 30 to 40 percent of individuals caring for a loved one with dementia have depression, burnout or high levels of stress (or all three). No matter how demanding your caregiving role is, it is essential that you take time for yourself and practice healthy coping mechanisms. Here are some tips:

Stay on top of your health. See your doctor regularly and know the symptoms and signs of heightened stress. Be sure to eat a healthy diet, exercise and get a good night’s sleep. It’s hard to help someone else feel better when you don’t feel well yourself.

Learn stress-management techniques. Stress is a given when you’re a caregiver, but it doesn’t have to overtake your life. Practice relaxation techniques like breathing exercises, yoga or meditation. Even spending five minutes a day sitting still and focusing your mind can benefit your mood and energy levels.

Talk to someone. Everyone needs a listening ear every once in a while, especially caregivers. Whether you have a close confidante, religious leader or therapist, be sure there’s someone in your life you can talk to about what you’re going through.

Have fun. Find ways to insert happiness and joy – and play! – into your life and the life of your loved one with dementia. Find activities you can do together, and make sure you keep up with hobbies and activities that give you pleasure.

Find the funny. Laughter, as they say, is the best medicine. It’s also been proven to reduce sadness, stress and even illness. Allow yourself to laugh at experiences. Watch light hearted comedies on TV or puppy videos on YouTube. Good moods are infectious, and will make both you and your loved one happier.

If you would like more information about planning for your journey as a dementia caregiver, contact us at 978.775.1070.

Engaging Lifestyle.

Now open! Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover provides memory care in an assisted living environment that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Built solely to care for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover creates a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and respects individual preferences. Our memory care teams receive specialized training that helps them safely support residents’ independence and elevate their self-esteem.

Dedicated Memory Care

Through early-, mid- and late-stage memory loss, residents and their families have complete peace of mind. Our compassionate dementia care, Personalized Services and unique programs are tailored to meet the physical, cognitive and emotional needs of each resident wherever they are on their own journey, allowing them to age in place safely, comfortably and with respect.

Supportive, Purpose-Built Design.

Featuring a stunning residential design and the amenities of a new community, Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover is much more than a beautiful place to live; it’s a community where residents’ lives are enriched, and their families enjoy meaningful moments together. Our research-based design features soft colors and lighting, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life-enrichment stations that empower residents to explore their homes with confidence.

Call us today at 978.775.1070 to learn more about Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover or to schedule a personal tour.

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