People around you may be resolving to lose 10 pounds, eat healthier, and exercise more, but as a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s, perhaps just getting through each day is ambitious enough. The idea of striving to improve upon any area of your life in this unsettling time may be overwhelming. Thankfully, help for Alzheimer’s caregivers can be found through some out-of-the-box thinking when it comes to New Year’s resolutions.
At The Care Company, we want to offer you a bit of encouragement. We realize the work you are doing is often both frustrating and rewarding, and we’re here to support you by any means we can. To start, we have compiled some resolutions just for Alzheimer’s caregivers that will actually help make your journey a little bit easier.
What Resolutions Are Good for a Alzheimer's Caregiver?
Take a deep breath and a few minutes to consider the following:
Set aside time for self-care. We understand; this might be not as easy as it sounds. But taking time for yourself is very important to both your quality of life and that of the individual you’re taking care of. It does not need to be anything complicated or extensive, unless you want it to be. Merely carving out an hour or two once per week for an activity you enjoy can supply the rejuvenation you need. A dependable friend or family member can fill in while you’re away, or contact The Care Company for a skilled, experienced caregiver to help.
Forgive yourself. Accept that you're human, and there will be times that you wish you had handled a situation in another way. Resolve that this will be the year you will completely let go of any guilt, and in exchange, remind yourself that you are doing the best you can to help make life better for the person you love.
Remind yourself that you know what is most beneficial. Family caregivers may find themselves surrounded by well-intentioned people who want to offer advice. While their ideas may work effectively for some individuals, they may not be applicable in your situation. Listen respectfully to any advice offered and thank the person for the idea, but then ultimately trust your judgment in making the most effective care decisions for your circumstances.
For a trusted partner in dementia care, and for some further helpful resources and help for Alzheimer’s caregivers, contact The Care Company any time. We will be happy to visit with you in your home at no cost to talk about the challenges you’re facing and to provide creative approaches to help, including:
Planning and preparing meals based on individual preferences
Providing engaging conversations and activities to help keep both body and mind active
Transportation and accompaniment to outings and appointments
Support as needed with personal hygiene tasks, while fostering independence
Assistance with wandering, agitation, aggression, sundowning, repetitive behaviors, memory care, and much more
Reach out to The Care Company, the leading provider of elderly care in Etobicoke and the surrounding areas, at 416-422-2273 to learn more.