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Advice by Alicia: Dementia Care Doesn’t Take a Summer Vacation

Monday, July 08, 2019

Alicia Seaver is the Vice President of Memory Care Operations for EPOCH Senior Living and a Certified Memory Impairment Specialist. Every month, she addresses a specific issue related to memory and memory care. If you’re interested in hearing about a particular topic, please send a note to [email protected].

Q: What can I do this summer to give myself a little bit of a break from caregiving? 

A: It’s summertime, which means that many of your friends and family members are enjoying some well-deserved vacations. You as a caregiver may not have the ability to go off for a two-week trip, but you definitely should be finding ways to give yourself a break.

Luckily, summertime is one of the best times to recharge and set yourself up for caregiving success. With longer days, loads of sunshine and all sorts of things to do from festivals to fairs and more, summer allows you to get out, do the things you love, take care of your mind and body and center yourself in order to provide the best care possible for your loved one.

Respite care at a memory care assisted living community like Bridges® by EPOCH is one great way to do that. For the time that your loved one is at the community, they’ll enjoy all the services, support, amenities and life-enrichment activities as the residents. It’s a great option for those going on vacation or simply wanting to take a break from caregiving to recharge.

Besides respite care, here are some ideas of how caregivers can carve out a little bit of “me time” every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

Take a walk. Or a hike, a bike ride, a run, or whatever form of outdoor exercise you enjoy. Being in the fresh air has all sorts of health benefits, including getting a daily dose of Vitamin D, enjoying the antibacterial properties of fresh air (really, it’s a thing) plus the benefit of getting your blood pumping and those endorphins firing. Go with a buddy and get some good social time in, too.

Practice yoga in the park. Yoga, tai chi and meditation work to pair the mind and body in order to achieve relaxation, calm and overall wellness. Many community centers or studios offer outdoor classes at this time of year. Kick start your morning with the sunrise or relax in the cool breeze of late afternoon.

Go to an open-air concert. Check your local community’s event calendar to see what forms of live entertainment are available. Some restaurants have live music on scheduled nights, while symphony orchestras or other groups will hold concerts in public parks or other green spaces. Grab a blanket, a picnic basket and a few of your favorite people, and be serenaded under the stars.

Fill your plate from the farmer’s market. Eating well is a key to staying healthy, and it’s never easier to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables than at this time of year. Pile your basket high with farm-fresh produce and use it to create delicious, couldn’t-be-fresher meals to enjoy with your family.

Take a little trip. Taking time each day to recharge is essential, but so is making a more concerted effort to get away from the daily grind. You need a vacation, so this summer, plan a trip for yourself with friends, family or your spouse, that allows you to leave your caregiver role at home. It doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out affair – you can even get away for just a night or a weekend. Ask a family member to watch your loved one or hire a respite caregiver.

Try respite care for your loved one. Respite care is temporary care available at a memory care assisted living community like Bridges® by EPOCH. For the time that your loved one is at the community, they’ll enjoy all the services, support, amenities and events as the residents there. It’s a great option for those going on vacation, if you simply want a break from caregiving or if you’re seeing how your loved one might thrive in a community like ours.

Please feel free to contact Bridges® by EPOCH at 508.403.0103 to learn more about how to manage caregiver stress. You can also find more information at these fine agencies:

  • Alzheimer’s Association®
  • National Family Caregivers Association
  • Family Caregivers Alliance
  • National Alliance for Caregiving

Enhancing Quality of Life

Bridges® by EPOCH communities have been developed from the ground up to anticipate, meet and exceed the needs of our residents and their families. Our team of remarkable people, the exceptional care and services we offer and the purposeful design of our buildings all combine to create the most rewarding, secure and nurturing lifestyle possible for our residents.

We understand the concern families feel about ensuring quality of life for loved ones. That’s why, at Bridges® by EPOCH, we offer a wellness-centered lifestyle that focuses on reinforcing individual strength so residents enjoy heightened confidence and self-esteem. Ultimately, we provide everything residents need to thrive and rediscover a life with purpose.

Inspiration for Success

At our Bridges® by EPOCH communities, we work closely with families to gain necessary insight and deeper understanding into the lives of our residents upon admission. With this initial information, along with what our exceptional team members learn about our residents each and every day, we are best prepared to provide highly individualized programming for our residents.

Learn More About Bridges®

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