Don’t Just Survive, Thrive!
Being a caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is typically not something anyone plans for.
Photo Credit: Jeffrey Watts, American University
Dear Caregivers,
It’s May, and all over the country graduation ceremonies are in full swing, with flowing robes, proud parents, and of course, commencement speeches. One speech that caught my attention came from the nation’s most recent Supreme Court appointee, who is not only the first Floridian to serve on the Supreme Court, but also the first Black woman to serve our country in that role: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
It was Jackson’s first commencement speech as a Supreme Court Justice, and as this was an address to a graduating class of new lawyers at the American University in Washington, D.C., many in the crowd gathered in the auditorium were perhaps anticipating insights into the important upcoming decisions that the Court will soon be issuing as it nears the end of its first term, or the historic role of law in the U.S..
Instead, they got the revelation that Justice Jackson is a huge fan of the reality television show “Survivor”, and that in fact, there are very important lessons to be learned from the program, which has been on the air for more than two decades.
And it struck me that these lessons more than aptly apply to caregivers such as yourself, too!
Make the most of your resources: The contestants on Survivor may be stranded on an island, but you are not! You have access to many resources to help you along the way, including your personal NAN Navigator, who will assess your needs and help get you the resources you need. Remember too that you have family, friends, and perhaps your most important resource, yourself, which you need to take care of as well. As Justice Jackson noted, we all have busy lives, but we should strive to find at least a little time to do the things we love (for her, watching Survivor with her family.)
Know your strengths, and “lean into them”: Just as there are many different ways to excel in a legal profession, every caregiver needs to forge their own path in this journey, because it is impossible to be a perfect, all-around caregiver. Instead, trust in your strengths, and find help to back you up in areas where you are perhaps not as strong.
Play the “long game”: Unfortunately, caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is often a long, drawn-out experience as the disease slowly progresses. Viewing this as a long-term process puts into perspective the need to form lasting alliances with medical, financial, and legal experts, as well as family and friends, to make sure everyone is committed to the caregiving team and achieving its long-term goals.
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 our new Justice points out in her address, “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.”
Here are some more information meeting the challenges of caregiving:
Common Caregiving Challenges in Alzheimer’s:
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease affect both the patient and those who interact with them ― especially caregivers. As Alzheimer’s alters the ability of the patient to think and function, those changes can impact others. Here are some common challenges you may face and the strategies we’ve found that can help.
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 are some tips on how to communicate with your healthcare providers.
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. Here’s how to find that joy.
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
“Sometimes our work as caregivers is not for the faint of heart. But, you will never know what you’re made of until you step into the fire. Step bravely.”
— Deborah A. Beasley
