Dr. Eboni Green
July 20, 2021
As a caregiver to a senior with Alzheimer’s disease, you’re used to putting another person’s needs above your own. Caring for a person with dementia is a full-time job and leaves little time or energy for hobbies, exercise and other self-care practices. While putting yourself last often feels necessary to caregivers, it’s not sustainable. Family caregivers are prone to burnout, which causes their own health to suffer and hinders their ability to care for a loved one.
To help you learn to take better care of yourself, Caregiver Support Services shares these realistic ways that Alzheimer’s caregivers can practice self-care in their daily lives.
Mealtimes are a hands-on affair for Alzheimer’s caregivers. Elderly patients with Alzheimer’s disease often need assistance eating, especially in the later stages when manual feeding becomes necessary. This leaves little time to sit down and enjoy a meal, and many caregivers resort to snacking throughout the day instead. Often, that means turning to foods like chips, crackers and granola bars, which offer scant nutrition.
Multivitamins are a smart way for caregivers to ensure they’re getting the nutrients their bodies need. Even if you eat well most of the time, a multivitamin fills nutritional gaps. While nutritional deficiencies cause problems like fatigue and a weakened immune system, a balanced multivitamin keeps your skin, gut and brain healthy. However, while a multivitamin is a great source of vitamins and minerals, it doesn’t provide the protein, fats and fiber that your body needs on a daily basis. It’s also important to eat healthy foods, even if they come in the form of snacks instead of sit-down meals. If you need help making mealtimes convenient, The Food Oasis suggests considering a meal delivery service, or you can opt for online grocery ordering.
Caring for someone who needs constant supervision doesn’t leave much time for exercise. Nonetheless, physical activity needs to be as much a priority for caregivers as it is for everyone else — if not more. In addition to keeping you physically healthy, regular exercise fights stress so it’s easier to cope with the daily challenges of Alzheimer’s caregiving.
There are a few ways caregivers can squeeze physical activity into their days. The simplest is working out at home while your elderly loved one is napping. However, caregivers shouldn’t rule out gym memberships. Many YMCA facilities offer adult day services where your loved one can receive respite care while you get some exercise.
Sleep is perhaps the most basic self-care practice, but despite its simplicity, a report published by The Journal of the American Medical Association found that it can be hard to come by for Alzheimer’s caregivers. That’s because Alzheimer’s disease often leads to sleep disruptions like nighttime wakings and sundowning, a phenomenon that causes seniors with dementia to become restless and confused late in the day.
When you’re worried about your loved one wandering or getting hurt during the night, it’s tough to relax and get quality sleep. However, there are a few things you can do to give yourself peace of mind at night. Ensure all exit doors are secured to prevent wandering and, before bedtime, disable potentially dangerous appliances like the stove. You may also find it helpful to install motion-activated lighting in common areas so that if your loved one does wake during the night, they can see where they’re going without shadows adding to their confusion.
The time may come when the best choice is to pass the torch, whether this is to a professional in-home caregiver or assisted living memory care, and while this is not an easy decision, it should always come down to what’s best for you and your loved one. If you can’t regularly fire on all cylinders, you are at risk for severe health problems. When it comes to a professional in-home caregiver, it’s important to find someone who offers experience and compassion, so practice due diligence when seeking the right caregiver for your loved one. In some cases, assisted living is the better choice, and ensures your loved one has access to all the necessary care they need 24/7. Finding the right community can be a challenge, so start online and look at some of the different communities in your community. Once you have a few in mind, talk to your loved one about taking a tour. This can give you both an idea of what to expect, and can help you make your final choice.
For family caregivers, self-care is about getting back to the basics. While you might not have time for nights out, there are things you can do to ensure you’re looking after your own health. For more ideas on how you can practice self-care, be sure to reach out to fellow caregivers for tips on caring for your loved one and yourself.
