Facing the Winds of Change
Dear Caregivers,
I'm out of the country this week, and I have to say that looking at our nation from afar brings me chills. First, there are the actual chills that are currently gripping my home state — last week the temperatures in some areas of Florida dipped lower than those in Anchorage, Alaska. And at the other end of the country, in Los Angeles, extreme winds are fueling the heat of raging fires, destroying homes and people’s lives. The tragedy and destruction are almost unbearable to witness.
If there is a lesson to be gained of this, it is that no matter what, everything changes. That’s something that we humans find very uncomfortable — who doesn’t crave more predictability in their lives?
For caregivers of a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s, change is even more of a constant companion. Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease that currently has no cure, and so the only thing that is certain is that the future will not be like the present.
Still, there is a deeper lesson to be understood and embraced by the change that is all around us: Change is a part of every person’s life, and the only way to cope with it is to first, get the best understanding you can about what you might expect down the road and how to prepare for it, and two, more importantly, embrace every day as a special gift.
Here is some advice on how to deal with change:
Understanding the Emotional Changes of Alzheimer’s Disease:
To fully understand how Alzheimer's disease impacts an individual's emotions, we need to understand what parts of the brain Alzheimer's affects and what parts it does not. That imbalance leads to common emotional symptoms, including depression and apathy, anxiety, fear, and agitation. The ability to feel fear and anxiety, along with an inability to control the emotional response, creates a potential for exaggerated emotional responses or unexpected upset. Here's a guide.
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 support you do now makes it critical you identify an individual who is the best “Plan B” caregiver, able to quickly take over as advocate and guardian for your Loved One in the event that is needed. Here's how to do it.
Finding the Joy as a Family Caregiver:
The challenge that family caregivers face is to learn acceptance, to live in the present moment, and to let go of things you cannot control. This is a challenge to be sure, but if there can be any joy in caregiving, this is where it is.
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
“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”
— John F. Kennedy
