Be the Change!
Dear Caregivers,
I know you face the uncontrollable changes of your loved one's illness each day. That feeling of being powerless to stop this inevitable decline can take your spirits, and your energy, to low places.
But let's not let that happen. If we cannot control Alzheimer's disease, let's look at what is in your control, and try to find ways you can effect change for the better.
Studies have shown that if you want to make a change in your life, such as ensuring you have a small bit of time for exercise each day, or are able to make a home-cooked meal more often, or do some long-term financial planning, the best way to go about that is to make tiny changes on a regular basis, consistently. Over time, those tiny changes build into big changes.
For example, if you have a goal to be able to exercise for, say, a half hour each day, start first with simply walking around the block for ten minutes. Eventually, that ten-minute one-block walk might extend into two walking blocks, then perhaps walking three blocks, and so on.
Or, if you are feeling overwhelmed by your caregiving role and that you have no time for yourself, you might start by taking a ten-minute break during the day to meditate, and then perhaps extend that to 20 minutes. Or, you could perhaps find a Day Center for your loved one every one or two weeks, to give you a little more time for yourself. The trick is to keep the changes small, but also keep them consistent. Talk to your NAN Navigator about what your possible options are.
Caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is one of the hardest jobs in the world. But realizing the great potential of simply doing a few tiny changes every day can be a very powerful tool in your caregiving journey.
Here is some more guidance:
The Basics of Adult Day Centers:
Adult day centers offer supervised care and activities that are tailored to meet the needs of people living with Alzheimer's. Adult day services can help provide respite to caregivers, while at the same time ensuring that your loved one receives safe, compassionate, and attentive care. Here’s a guide to how to find the right fit for your loved one.
How to Practice Daily Meditation:
Over the last 20 years, extensive research, at Harvard and other prestigious universities, has shown that only a few minutes of daily meditation has dramatic effects on physical health. Here’s how to start.
Caregiver’s Plan B:
No family caregiver wants to think they wouldn't be able to help their loved one. But the chance that something could happen to you that would make it impossible for you to provide the care and support that you do now makes it critical that you identify an individual who is the best “Plan B” caregiver. This person could quickly take over as advocate and guardian for your Loved One in the event that is needed. Here’s how.
Remember, if you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can always “Ask NAN” by clicking on this link.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“When you're finished changing, you're finished.”
— Benjamin Franklin
