Tag Archives: alzheimer’s caregiver

10 Daily Affirmations For Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers

Posted by Gina Flores on December 10, 2016 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

Last year, 15.9 million family and friends provided unpaid care to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The challenges of this caregiving role are palpable, as close to 60% of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers rate the emotional stress of caregiving as high or very high.

Source: 2016 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, Alzheimer’s Association

Considering this is one of the most stressful kinds of caregiving, daily affirmations can be a powerful source of encouragement and provide reassurance.

10 Daily Affirmations For Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers

I am doing the best I can do. I should not fear what tomorrow holds, but take each day as a chance to learn something new and grow my confidence as a caregiver.
When I am frustrated, I will take a few deep breaths and remind myself that patience is a virtue I can and will embrace.
I need to take care of me to be here tomorrow. Is there something I am neglecting to do for my own health and well-being?
Worry is my worst enemy. I am in control of my thoughts and should focus on what I can control, and accept things I can’t change.
If it were me being cared for, I would want my caregiver to (fill in the blank).
The energy I bring to each day has power. It is up to me to make it positive and joyful.
I am thankful for this day and the chance to live, love and provide care to someone who needs me.
Do I need a helping hand today from a friend or family member? Don’t hesitate to call someone.
When it’s time to rest, rest! Sleep is an essential necessity I should never ignore.
I need to give myself credit for what I do every day. It takes a very strong person to do what I do and I should be proud of myself.

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Links for the Caregiving Community

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on March 31, 2016 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

According to the National Alliance for Caregiving in collaboration with AARP “More than 65 million people, 29% of the U.S. population, provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend during any given year and spend an average of 20 hours per week providing care for their loved one.” That’s a lot of people! The caregiving community needs all the support it can get, and with that we’d like to offer up some helpful links:

A Place for Mom – Senior Living Blog

A Place for Mom “Connects Families to Senior Care” but their blog is full of articles that anyone living wtih, caring for or even just interacting with a senior will find helpful.

Caregiver Action Network

From their About Us: “CAN (formerly the National Family Caregivers Association) is a non-profit organization providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge.”

Family Caregiver Alliance

“Family Caregiver Alliance is first and foremost a public voice for caregivers. Founded in the late 1970s, we were the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care for loved ones at home. We illuminate the caregivers’ daily challenges to better the lives of caregivers nationally, provide them the assistance they need and deserve, and champion their cause through education, services, research and advocacy.”

National Alliance for Caregiving

“Established in 1996, the National Alliance for Caregiving is a non-profit coalition of national organizations focusing on advancing family caregiving through research, innovation, and advocacy. The Alliance conducts research, does policy analysis, develops national best-practice programs, and works to increase public awareness of family caregiving issues.”

Our Parents – Care Topics

Our Parents is “a free and unbiased service focused on helping families with aging parents find the best senior care solution that meets their loved one’s unique needs, be it an in-home caregiver, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home.” Their Care Topics page contains many great articles about senior care, along with links to the #ElderCareChat on Twitter.

Today’s Caregiver Magazine

This magazine operates as both a print magazine and an informative website. Today’s Caregiver is “a leading provider of information, support and guidance for family and professional caregivers.”

Social Wellness Month

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on July 16, 2015 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

July is Social Wellness Month, a month where everyone is encouraged to nurture their relationships with friends and focus on taking care of themselves.

So what does this mean for busy caregivers, who can barely find time as it is? Here are some tips for sneaking in some time for yourself and time to spend with friends, among all the demands on your time:

Buy some plants and water them while doing other things
Plants can bring new life into a house and make things a little more vibrant. But watering them can be a pain to remember. Try combining two activities, like watering in the morning while brushing your teeth. This way you can watch the plants grow during the couple minutes of brushing time.
Chat during dinner
The speaker mode on your phone can be a life-changer. Assuming you’re not eating anything too crunchy or slurpy, a very good friend likely won’t mind if you chat with them over a meal. Hopefully they’ll just be thankful that you found a few minutes to catch up with them.
Include your friends in your caregiving duties
Do you take a stroll everyday with your caree, either walking or with them in a wheelchair? If not, you may want to try to add that to your routine – it can do wonders for both of you. And if you do, could you invite one of your friends to join you on that walk? And maybe stick around for an afternoon cup of coffee? Even if you only have time for a half-hour visit, don’t be afraid to ask a friend to drop by. They probably have been hoping they could, but don’t want to impose.

Even if you’re not able to fit these ideas into your busy schedule, try and focus on the fact that you need time for yourself and you are worth it. Even entertaining fantasies of doing things alone or with friends is better than getting stuck in the idea that everyday is crazy.

What will you be doing for Social Wellness Month?