When Caring For The Dementia Patient Is Hard On The Caregiver

When you are caring for someone with dementia, you need support.  It isn’t something you can do alone without getting burned out quickly.  There are other caregivers out there in similar situations who can share tips and ideas with you to make your days more manageable. There are local support groups as well as online blogs and forums.  In fact, there are so many online options you can get lost in them and never get away from the computer screen.  Pick a few that seem to work for you and stick with them.  When I have a question about a specific problem, I usually go to the Alzheimer’s Association.  For example, I get asked frequently how to deal with the constant questions from a person living with dementia?  Here’s an entry from a site full of ideas, The Alzheimer’s Reading Room.

Alzheimer's Reading Room

The author who shared her suggestions for dealing with those constant questions has her own blog about living with dementia, Dementia By Day.  She is the coordinator of a memory care home and shares her stories and successes and observations.  Her blog is great for caregivers or family members who are new to the world of dementia.  One of her reminders to all of us caring for someone with dementia, which is my favorite, is “It’s never about the outcome when someone has dementia—it’s all about the process.”

Michele

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