|
|
Stressed?
G enerally, when you think
of a stressful situation
it evokes feelings of
frustration, anxiety, nervousness and
even anger. These days, the word
“stress” and all of its derivations
(stressed, stressful, stressing)
is bantered about frequently
— to describe our country’s
economy, the local economy, the
global economy, the increasing
numbers of people who have
been recently unemployed or are
underemployed, not to mention
events in our everyday lives.
It is also a fact that family
caregivers as well as people with dementia (PWD)
experience stress. It frequently permeates their lives. The
question is how best to handle stressful situations as they
arise? I wish there was an easy answer but unfortunately
it doesn’t exist. We all have different temperaments and
varying abilities to cope with difficult, complex, and at
times volatile situations, but utilizing the following simple
suggestions MAY help reduce what I refer to as “headbanging
behaviors.”
- Learn to Go With the Flow Think about what
is truly important. Does it matter if the PWD is wearing
mismatched clothing or does not want to bathe everyday?
What truly matters is if the PWD is demonstrating behaviors,
which puts someone at risk — such as not bathing for long
periods of time, which may result in skin breakdown or
infection, or cooking and leaving the pot unattended on
the stove — not behaviors that may be embarrassing or
annoying to the caregiver.
- Keep It Simple Do not overload the PWD with
too much information or plan too many activities in a day.
The PWD may get fatigued at the end of the day, which
MAY result in agitated behavior.
- Slow It Down A PWD lives in a much slower
world and sometimes has difficulty following conversation (make a concerted effort to include the PWD) or getting
ready for an outing in a short period of time.
- Develop the Art of Being Wrong If the PWD
attempts to blame you for not doing something or saying
something (even if you did), tell the person you are sorry
as this will help defuse agitated situations.
- Try Not to Impose Your Framework on
the PWD Consider the PWD’s personal history and
preferences before making suggestions.
- Take Time for Yourself Be sure to take time on
a regular basis to do something you enjoy – read an article,
read a book, exercise, enroll in a yoga class, go to a concert
or meditate. Whatever you enjoy, do it! If you do not take
time for yourself, you will not be able to help the PWD.
- Accept the Situation You cannot change the
PWD, he or she is incapable of changing. Acknowledge
that the relationship has changed and that it is up to you
to communicate differently, which will produce positive
outcomes.
- Ask for Help, You Can Not Do It Alone If
you do not have family members who can assist you,
seek help from others. Contact our 24-hour Helpline at
1-800-272-3900 for information and referrals to: senior
adult day centers, home health aide agencies, food delivery
programs and assisted living and long-term care facilities.
Our Helpline staff can also answer questions and provide
information to caregivers about dementia.
- Educate Yourself The Alzheimer’s Association
offers the following educational seminars on a regular basis:
Understanding Dementia, What you need to know and where to
go, Legal and Financial, Medicaid and Homecare, and Easing
the Transition into a Long-Term Care Facility. The Chapter
also provides Family Caregiver Training in English and
Spanish.
- Join A Support Group Meet others who are
facing similar difficulties and collectively strategize how to
resolve difficult situations. Friends and neighbors who are
not caring for a PWD often lack the ability to actively listen
to resolve problems over an extended period of time.>
For more information about the Family Caregiver Workshops, click here or please call the 24-hour Helpline at
1-800-272-3900.
— Amy Trommer
Dementia Care Trainer
|
Previous
