Summertime is typically an easy, breezy time of year, but this year has been a little – how shall we say – different. Pair the overall (and overwhelming) difficulties of 2020 with the everyday responsibilities of someone who is a caregiver for a senior with dementia, and this summertime could be spelled S-T-R-E-S-S.
“The days are longer in the summer months, so a lot of caregivers end up trying to cram even more chores and work into the daylight hours, whether consciously or unconsciously,” says Barbara Harrison, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood, a memory care assisted living community in Westwood, MA. “Many caregivers also have kids at home, which means an additional layer of busy and an additional veneer of there’s not enough time in the day for an already overtaxed caregiver.”
We don’t need to tell you that caregiving is stressful, even though it can be a very rewarding job. Caregiver stress is a daily reality for most individuals caring for another. When stress becomes too regular for too long, it can morph into caregiver burnout, which carries very real and serious health risks.
“It’s a trite saying, but it’s true – in order to care for others, you have to first care for yourself,” says Barbara. “Luckily, summertime provides a lot of opportunities for caregivers to practice some good old-fashioned self-care. Even though we’re entering the back half of the year, there are still many long, sunny days that can provide a retreat and renewal for caregivers on a daily basis.”
The Signs of Caregiver Stress
It’s not uncommon for caregivers to not recognize or push aside the signs of caregiver stress. In fact, if you’ve lived with it for a while, you may just come to think of it as “normal.” However, it’s essential to take control of your own well-being and recognize the signs that you’re suffering. Here are some specific watch-fors that should give you pause:
- Feeling completely overwhelmed and worried
- Being exhausted regularly, even after a good night’s sleep
- Not sleeping or getting too much sleep
- Weight fluctuations (either losing or gaining a lot of weight in a short amount of time)
- Becoming easily angry, irritated or frustrated
- Feeling generally run down with bodily pain, headaches or other physical problems
- Feeling sad and not being able to shake it
- Abusing or overusing alcohol and drugs
Everyone feels stressed now and again, but if you’re experiencing these signs more often than not, you run the risk of harming yourself.
“The best time to manage caregiver stress is before it becomes a problem,” says Barbara. “Here are some great summertime tips to break yourself out of the stress cycle, give yourself a chance to breathe and rejuvenate so you can be the best possible caregiver for your loved one – and yourself.”
Go outside. Instead of sitting on the couch for a moment of relaxation, grab a lawn chair or blanket and go outside to rest and relax. Find a shady space in your yard or on your balcony, grab a glass of something cool and spend a moment enjoying the balmy feel of the wind on your face. Even just a few minutes of being outside can reduce your heart rate and your blood pressure.
Take a walk. Exercise is an excellent stress reliever, and the long summer days offer an excellent opportunity to get your blood flowing at night or first thing in the morning. Start your day out with a walk around the block, or end your day strolling with a friend for a half-hour. Exercise is a great way to enjoy the warm summer weather as well as clear your head. Be sure to take water and avoid too much exercise between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., which is when the sun is at its hottest.
Grow something beautiful. Do you have a green thumb? Gardening is a great way to meditate, get a little exercise and create something beautiful. Grow some herbs in pots on your porch or cultivate beautiful flower gardens or anything in-between. Gardening is also a fantastic activity for individuals with dementia, because it stimulates all five of the senses in beneficial ways.
Turn on some summertime tunes. What are the songs that just scream “summer” to you? The Beach Boys? The Top 10 from your adolescence? Make a summertime feel-good playlist and blast it while you’re doing chores or tidying up around the house. Go ahead and sing along and maybe break out a dance move or two – be silly!
Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being in the moment and allowing your thoughts to be still, even just for a moment. Mindfulness is a practice that flows through a variety of different practices like yoga, meditation and tai chi. If you’ve never tried the practice before, summer’s a great time to start, because often the act of physically removing yourself from your inside space and going outside can help spur the process. If you prefer guided meditation and mindfulness exercises, there are plenty of online tutorials that offer everything from beginner to advanced experiences.
Take a mini-break. Ask a friend or family member if they’d be willing to watch your loved one for a few hours (or more) so you can get out and do something nice for yourself. Having someone you trust looking after your loved one will help you feel less stress about getting outside of the house. If friends and family aren’t an option, look into options like adult day care centers or home health aides who can drop by occasionally.
“Giving yourself the gift of summertime fun can greatly reduce your stress, improve your well-being and set you up for success as we go into the fall and winter months,” says Barbara. “Now is a great time to start some great habits that will help you feel good and stay healthy so you can continue your work of caring for your loved one.”
Exceptional Care & Fulfilling Lifestyle
Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood provides memory care assisted living that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community offers a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – enriching the lives of our residents every day.
Inspiring Programs for All Stages
No matter what level of care or service is needed, residents and families can rest assured that our care and life enrichment programs address the various stages of memory decline, allowing residents the opportunity to age in place.
Dedicated Memory Care
At Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood, our services are designed to recognize and adapt to the unique challenges and individuality of each resident, while ensuring comfort and safety. We believe in a full-service approach to care and provide a high level of personalized attention for residents in various stages of memory loss.
Contact us today to learn more.