From the desk of Rosemary Laird, MD
Founder of Navigating Aging Needs (NAN), LLC
Managing Anger
All of us, at some time, will experience and express anger at our loved one. You are, after all, human, and feeling angry is part of the human experience. The recognition that this very human trait occurs in all of us is the cornerstone of how you can cope with it.
Don’t Just Survive, Thrive!
Being a caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is typically not something anyone plans for, and can represent a sudden, unexpected, and prolonged commitment to care. But, as Supreme Court Justice Jackson points out, “if you make the most of the resources you have, use your strengths to make your mark, and play the long game in your interactions with others, you will not only survive – you will thrive.”
Seeing the Light
As a caregiver, it’s often hard to actively seek out the flashes of pleasure and joy that come from your everyday efforts. However, if you are able to relax and open yourself to opportunities, those wonderful moments will come to you.
It’s National Family Caregiver Month!
As the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website states, “Celebrated every November, National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM) is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country.” Here are some ways you can embrace your role as a family caregiver.
Embracing Change
As we head into the Autumn season, we are immersed in a world that is changing all around us. The days are shorter, the air cooler, and farther north the levels of chlorophyll shut down in the leaves of trees, exposing brilliant hues of yellow, red and gold. Though these signs signal that winter is on its way, there is no escaping the beauty it inspires in us. It is a reminder that there is beauty, too, in the stages of the caregiving journey you are on with your loved one, and that we all can find strength, and beauty, in a world of constant change. Here are some tips for making the most of it.
Take Time to Celebrate!
Caregivers must learn to reinvent themselves continually, and adapt the challenges facing them on a daily basis. But you also have to take the time, and make the effort, to celebrate the small accomplishments that occur for you and your loved one daily.
Finding the Joy
In my many years of working with caregivers, I have seen first-hand how agonizing your day-to-day struggles can sometimes be. You may at times feel overwhelmed, overcome with stress, or experience a profound sense of grief for all that is lost to this disease. So my words of advice today may seem counter-intuitive: Find time to seek out joy. As challenging as our lives may be at times, being a caregiver for your loved one can give a life purpose, meaning — and even joy.