Ask NAN blog
Teachings and tips for family caregivers navigating the needs of their aging loved one.
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Driving and Alzheimer’s Disease: Understanding the Issue and Supporting Your Loved One Through Change
Having to give up a driver’s license represents a great loss of freedom, and can be difficult emotionally for your loved one. Here’s how to cope.
Is Alzheimer’s Hereditary?
A so-called “family history” is not always associated with developing the disease — it is likely a combination of genetic, other medical, and lifestyle risk factors.
¿Es el Alzheimer hereditario?
Los llamados "antecedentes familiares" no siempre están asociados con el desarrollo de la enfermedad; es probable que sea una combinación de factores de riesgo genéticos, otros médicos y de estilo de vida.
Disfrutando de las Navidades como Cuidador
Durante la temporada navideña, es crucial que los cuidadores dediquen tiempo a cuidarse. Aquí encontrará consejos para su autocuidado durante las fiestas y un enlace a una hoja de trabajo que puede ayudarle a organizar sus ideas y planificar.
Un Cuaderno de Trabajo para Preparar su Autocuidado durante Las Fiestas Navideñas
Durante la agitada y a veces estresante temporada navideña, es crucial que los cuidadores dediquen tiempo a cuidarse. Aquí tienes un cuaderno de ejercicios para ayudarte a reflexionar y planificar tu autocuidado durante las fiestas.
Enjoying the Holiday Season as a Caregiver
During the holiday season it is crucial for caregivers to make time to take care of themselves. Here is some guidance for your self-care during the holidays, and a link to a worksheet that can help you organize your thoughts and plan.
A Workbook for Planning Your Self-Care During the Holiday Season
During the busy and sometimes stressful holiday season, it is crucial for caregivers to make time to take care of themselves. Here is a workbook to help you think through and plan your self-care during the holidays.
Caregiver Burnout: How to Cope
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.
Agotamiento del Cuidador: Cómo Afrontarlo
Cuidar a una persona con Alzheimer es uno de los trabajos más desafiantes del mundo y conlleva el riesgo de sufrir lo que se conoce como "síndrome del cuidador". Con este síndrome, se experimenta un estado de agotamiento físico, emocional y mental que también puede ir acompañado de un cambio en la actitud hacia el cuidado, pasando de una actitud positiva, cariñosa y gratificante a una actitud negativa, indiferente y resentida.
Comunicarse con su ser Querido
Comunicarse con un ser querido con Alzheimer puede ser un desafío, ya que la enfermedad le roba a su ser querido su capacidad para recordar y procesar información durante una conversación. Pero hay formas de facilitar que ambos se comuniquen de forma eficaz.
Communicating With Your Loved One
Communicating with a loved one with Alzheimer's can be challenging, as the illness robs your loved one of their abilities to remember and process information during a conversation. But there are ways you can make it easier for both of you to communicate effectively.
Planning for a Funeral
It’s a curious aspect of American culture that while it is inevitable that everyone will die at some point in their life, no one seems very eager to plan for that eventuality. But, talking to your loved one now about funeral plans, no matter how far off, will save you a large amount of aggravation and uncertainty in the future.
Servicio Privado y Cuidado de Acompañantes
Los servicios de “cuidado privado” y “cuidado de acompañante” tienen como objetivo ayudar a su ser querido a realizar de manera segura las actividades cotidianas, como el cuidado personal, la preparación de comidas, la limpieza de la casa y ofrecerle compañía. Estos servicios también pueden ofrecer un descanso a los cuidadores, que pueden aprovechar el tiempo para estar solos. A continuación, se incluye una lista de empresas locales recomendadas de cuidado privado y de acompañante que pueden resultarle útiles en su camino como cuidador.
Facing the Grief of Caregiving
It is common for family caregivers helping a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease to feel a profound sense of grief for all that is lost to this disease. Loss of interest in activities we previously found rewarding and enjoyable are lessened or no longer enjoyable. This is often seen in depression but can also be attributed to a profound loss. Here’s how to cope.
Adult Day Centers
“Adult Day” centers are intended to help provide care and companionship for your loved one who needs assistance or supervision throughout the day. Adult Day can provide valuable respite to caregivers while encouraging socialization and engagement for your loved one. Here is a list of local adult day centers that might be useful in your caregiving journey.
Private Duty and Companion Care
“Private Duty Care” and “Companion Care” are services intended to help your loved one to safely get through day-to-day activities such as personal care, preparing meals, housecleaning, and offering companionship. These services can also offer a break for caregivers, who can use the time to be on their own. Here is a list of recommended local private duty and companion care companies that might be useful in your caregiving journey.
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.
Exercise Your Brain with Games
Games work to stave off dementia, strengthen critical thinking skills, and promote brain health. What kind of game works best?
Update on Alzheimer’s Treatment Options in 2022
For decades the main options for “treatment” for Alzheimer’s disease have been limited. But several new potentially beneficial options are emerging.
Security for Your Loved One... and YOU!
A critical part of your loved one's health and safety is wearing a wristband with important medical information that can alert others in the event that you are not there.
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