The practice of “being mindful” and “in the present” sounds like a great idea in theory. For individuals who are caregiving a loved one with dementia, the advice to “just be mindful” can sound an awful lot like a bit of Pollyanna schmaltz.
“Sometimes people confuse mindfulness with meditation,” says Alicia Seaver, Vice President of Memory Care Operations for EPOCH Senior Living and Bridges® by EPOCH at Hingham . While meditation is definitely a practice of mindfulness, the concept extends far beyond that. “Mindfulness can be practiced through just about any activity, whether it’s journaling, yoga, talk therapy, music therapy, tai chi and others,” says Alicia. “The purpose of mindfulness exercises is to bring you into the present moment, so whatever does that for you is a perfectly acceptable practice.”
Why is mindfulness so important for caregivers? As Alicia notes, mindfulness allows us to accept without judging, calm our crazed thoughts and acknowledge our feelings, whether they’re good, bad or indifferent. “The ability to separate your thoughts from long-term worry or reflection is an instant stress reliever and allows you to take stock of the present,” she says. “Think of it like a circuit breaker for your stress. By flipping that switch and halting the swarm of negative or stressful thoughts you’re having, it allows you to reset, refocus and recommit yourself to being the best caregiver and best person you can be.”
Mindfulness and Caregiving
Being mindful is an excellent skill for family caregivers to practice while caring for a senior loved one with dementia. Alicia says this approach allows caregivers to actively recognize what they can and can’t control, focuses their reactions and allows them to be the best caregiver they can be in that moment, without worrying about the past or present. “In a sense, this can bring you even closer to your loved one, who also lives in the moment,” says Alicia.
Being mindful doesn’t require any sort of fancy equipment or mantras. Instead, Alicia says that all it takes to be mindful is to actively stop what you’re doing, stop your swirling thoughts and focus inward. “By reflecting on your present surroundings – feeling how your body is responding to external stimuli and focusing on what’s happening around you without judgement – instantly relieves stress and allows you to take control of your thoughts and emotions.”
Besides reducing stress, mindfulness has many other benefits, including a reduced risk of strokes and heart attacks, lower levels of anxiety and depression, decreased blood pressure, lower levels of pain, better sleep, higher feelings of self-worth and self-awareness, better cognitive function, decreased recovery time from injury … in fact, it’s a little bit like a miracle drug.
“Ultimately, mindfulness reduces the stress in your body, which carries many physiological benefits,” says Alicia. “At the same time, being mindful allows you to relish and enjoy the moments you’re spending with your loved one. Instead of worrying about the future or feeling sorry about what has been lost, you can focus on making meaningful moments each and every day that will carry through for the rest of your life.”
Ways to Practice Mindfulness As a Caregiver
Pay attention. It’s easy to get caught up in the swirl of everything you have to do as a caregiver. At least once a day, stop and pay attention to your feelings, thoughts and emotions. Are there themes that come into play over and over? What do you notice that causes you to get wound up, and what relieves your stress? Consider starting a journal to detail these thoughts and ideas so you can better reflect on them.
Silence your inner voice. It’s easy to get caught up in the inner voice that says you should be doing this or that, or that you aren’t a good enough caregiver or anything else. That inner voice is our worst critic, so whenever you’re starting to hear it whisper in your ear, take a deep breath and focus instead on what’s happening around you. This “hijack” can stall that inner voice and allow you to refocus your thoughts on more positive approaches.
Appreciate the moment. As a caregiver, you’re pulled in twenty-five different ways each moment of the day. But take the time to stop worrying about everything you have to do and focus instead on your loved one. Dementia causes individuals to live in the moment. Take a cue from your loved one and enjoy being in the present, whether that’s laughing at a funny video, smelling the flowers, playing with a pet or simply feeling the warm sun on your face.
By simply recognizing the practice of mindfulness and bringing it into your daily life, you’ll be amazed at the benefits you’ll reap. Being mindful will allow you to be a more present, accepting and forgiving caregiver; a better spouse and parent; a more focused employee and a better friend. It allows you to create a more balanced life for yourself, even when you’re focused on caring for someone else, such as your loved one with dementia.
Exceptional Care & Fulfilling Lifestyle
Bridges® by EPOCH at Hingham 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 Hingham, 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.