Oftentimes, the care for aging parents must be taken on by their adult children. Dubbed the “Sandwich Generation,” these adults have the added stress of raising children, dealing with financial burdens and limited resources, and maintaining a full-time job. But, because we tend to focus so intently on the Alzheimer’s patient, we forget that there is a hidden patient in this scenario – the Alzheimer’s caregiver.
The emotional and physical stress of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease on top of daily life stresses can easily become overwhelming for a family caregiver. While peaceful meditation, exercising and enjoyable activities are great outlets for stress relief, the greatest protection against stress is a strong support network for when times get rough. Allowing oneself to lean on trusted friends and family members can keep life from seeming too overwhelming.
Also, seek out community support groups for Alzheimer’s caregivers:
- People meet in a given place each week or month.
- You get face-to-face contact and a chance to make new friends who live near you.
- The meetings get you out of the house, get you moving, provide a social outlet, and reduce feelings of isolation.
- Since the people in the support group are from your area, they’ll be more familiar with local resources and issues.
At Heaven at Home, we offer respite care services that allow family caregivers to take time off from caring for a loved one to rest and manage other aspects of their lives. Contact us today to find out how our skilled caregivers can give your loved one the care that he or she needs, while giving a family caregiver the respite he or she deserves.