Empower Yourself!
Dear Caregivers,
This week marks the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which gave women in the United States the right to vote. Though the Amendment was passed by Congress a year earlier, in 1919, it had been ratified by only 35 states — one short of what was needed to be adopted as part of the Constitution. A vote was held in Tennessee, the 36th state needed for ratification, in 1920, and it passed by a single deciding vote from 24-year-old Harry Burn, who had been considered to be against ratification. But Burn instead voted for it, citing having received a letter from his mother urging him to support the amendment!
The ratification of the right to vote was a powerful affirmation of the critical role women play in America, which was made more evident during the Civil War, when women took over so many aspects of daily life.
And the important role that women play is true for caregiving as well. About two-thirds of caregivers for loved ones with Alzheimer’s are women. They spend and average 22 hours a week doing their caregiving tasks, and some 19% of women report that they needed to quit their job or reduce their working hours when they became a caregiver. A third of these caregivers are daughters of the loved one.
Having the right to vote empowered women to influence their lives in America, and in caregiving, empowerment is a key part of influencing your day-to-day life as well. Educating yourself about the progression of the disease, getting to know your caregiving “village”, and practicing self-care, are all important “empowerment” aspects of caregiving success.
So, in the same way that exercising your right to vote is the core of a democracy such as ours, exercising your abilities to expand your understanding of your caregiving environment is important, too. And here I am talking about all family caregivers, both men and women who step up to the challenge and take on the role of caregiving.
Here is some more information about empowering yourself:
Understanding Stages and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia:
While Alzheimer's disease develops slowly over many years and every person has a unique path through the illness, there are some common symptoms. These collections of symptoms have been grouped into various stages of disease progression. Here’s an overview.
Communicating with Your Caregiving Village:
As the primary advocate for your loved one, you need to feel confident and comfortable adding your voice to the conversations about their care. Here’s how to communicate with your healthcare providers.
Keeping Your Personal Relationships Strong While Caregiving:
The stresses of caregiving can cause significant strains on a marriage or any other relationship. Here’s how to keep stress at bay and keep your personal relationships healthy.
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
“No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens.”
— Michelle Obama
