Beyond Winning
Dear Caregivers,
The famed football coach Vince Lombardi is credited with saying “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing." But in fact, Lombardi wasn’t the first person to say it, and he later claimed he was misquoted, meaning to say that the 'will to win' is the only thing."
And, as any elite athlete will tell you, it’s actually not about winning at all.
This weekend we’ll get a double-dose of big contests where someone will come out a winner: Professional football’s Super Bowl and the world’s Winter Olympics Games. The athletes in these events know, however, that they have absolutely no control over who wins. The only thing an athlete can influence is how they themselves perform; they can only try to do their best and hope that is good enough. They don’t focus on winning, they focus on doing.
As a caregiver of a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s, all you can do is try your best, day in and day out. Like an Olympian, you do it for the “doing,” not for a medal or trophy. Knowing that you are there for your loved one, helping them out, is reward enough.
So this weekend lets all celebrate those wonderful athletes, their amazing prowess, and their great achievements. And I’ll be celebrating you as well, as people who take home the Gold every day.
Here are some more resources for going beyond winning:
Motivating Your Loved One to Do Physical Activity:
Exercise can have enormous benefits. However, keeping your loved one with Alzheimer's disease motivated to exercise and do physical therapy can be a real challenge. After all, Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that leads to loss of memory issues, mood swings, and multiple physical limitations. Here are some strategies you can use to encourage them.
Strategies for Good Nutrition When Finger Foods Should be on the Menu:
As a caregiver you may feel added pressure to ensure your loved one gets the nutrition they need. There are times when finger foods are just the ticket, and allow a loved one to continue eating independently. Here's a guide.
Chair Exercises for Fitness:
Improve your flexibility, strength and cardiovascular health, all while seated! Here's how to do it.
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
“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up."
— Nelson Mandela
