Shine Brightly, But Don't Flame Out!
There are many challenges to consider in the upcoming holiday season. But with a little preparation and awareness, you can make it a holiday that everyone, including your loved one, will enjoy.
Dear Caregivers,
This weekend the night skies treated us with a display of brilliant meteors, called the Perseid Meteor Shower, which appears every year at about this time. A meteor is a tiny speck of rock that enters the earth's atmosphere and, because of the friction generated by it tunneling through the air at tremendous speeds, bursts into flames and streaks across the sky.
It is awesome to experience the energy and power these beautiful meteors have as they shoot across the heavens. But ultimately, of course, I also see them flame out. As I was thinking about writing to all of you, it occurred to me that all of us at NAN want to give you the resources and support you need so that you can be the bright and powerful family caregiver that your loved one needs, but never never experience burnout as you do so.
As a caregiver, you need to be aware of the dangers and risks of your role, as taking on the additional burden and stress of caregiving can have tangible, negative health consequences. And if you aren’t healthy, you won’t be in a condition to help your loved one. Your NAN Navigator is dedicated to helping you keep healthy in body, mind, and spirit, so you can continue your efforts without “flaming out”.
Here is some important guidance on keeping healthy as a caregiver:
How to Cope with Caregiver Burnout:
Caregiving for someone suffering from Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most challenging jobs in the world, and it comes with a risk of what is known as “Caregiver Burnout.” With caregiver burnout, you are in a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that may also be coupled with a change in your attitude towards your caregiving role, from one of positive, caring, and rewarding to one of feeling negative, unconcerned, and resentful. Here’s how to prevent caregiver burnout.
The Basics of Adult Day Centers:
As a caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, you are not alone if you sometimes feel you “need a break.” We all need time to focus on ourselves. As a caregiver, however, for you to take a break, you need to know your loved one is being well-cared for in your absence. One option for getting some time for yourself, as well as helping your loved one, is Adult Day. Adult Day centers offer supervised care and activities that are tailored to meet the needs of people living with Alzheimer's. Here’s a guide to how to find the right fit for your loved one.
Depression and Anxiety:
It would seem to be a given that many caregivers would suffer from anxiety, or be "depressed,” given all the challenges they are facing. But it is critical to know how to separate the expected sadness from the effects of Alzheimer's disease and the emotionally and physically debilitating illness that "Major Depression" is in its worst form. It’s equally important to understand that anxiety is triggered by physical reactions to stress signals the body receives. Here’s how to reduce the effect of anxiety.
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
“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.””
— Lou Holtz
