Tag: caregiver stress
Adult night-care service for Alzheimer’s patients who may wander
The Grand Rapids Press
Nighttime is when some Alzheimer’s patients are most restless, creating an anxious, sleepless time for caregivers who worry about their loved ones wandering.
“It is common for them to get their circadian rhythms off,” said Jean Van Den Beldt, administrator of Byron Center Manor, which plans to begin a new dawn-to-dusk activity program called Twilight Care.
The dementia-care and adult-day services community at 2115 84th St. SW is starting the program, which will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., to keep restless patients in a safe, stimulating environment. The cost is $120 per night.
via New service keeps restless Alzheimer’s patients busy at night | MLive.com.
Posted on July 23, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Caregiving | Tags: adult daycare, Alzheimer's, caregiver stress, Caregiving, Dementia, family caregiving, respite care, sundowning, Wandering
Taking a break, giving breaks; Autism and respite care
Our Journey Thru Autism
Here’s a good post from Our Journey Thru Autism on respite care. It includes a list of ways non-caregivers can give caregivers a little break. So, if you need a break – please find a way to take one. And if you can give a caregiver a little break, offer some help.
Two weeks ago, I wrote about caregiver fatigue and burnout. As caregivers, it is important to be sure to take a break OFTEN enough to maintain a healthy balance between caregiving and personal needs. Many times, people want to help, but they don’t know what to do that will help. And many times, we simply don’t ask for help because we don’t have the time to ask.
via OUR Journey Thru Autism: Taking a Break, Giving Breaks…Respite Care.
Posted on June 10, 2010 | 1 Comment | Category: Autism, Caregiving | Tags: Autism, caregiver stress, children with Autism, family caregiving
10 Signs of Caregiver Stress
Sunflower Ranch
Caregiving is stressful, and sometimes that stress sneaks up on you. Here, the blogger at Sunflower Ranch has a useful list of 10 Signs of Caregiver Stress. Read the list and watch for the signs. Caregiver stress is bad for your health!
Caregiving is one of the toughest jobs you’ll ever have. Many are called to perform these duties — but few people want to do them. No one wants to see a loved one slip away physically and/or mentally. Certainly the loved one does not want to be put into the situation. I know, I’ve been there as a caregiver. And it’s not easy. But what can happen to the caregiver is like the storm on the horizon — a tremendous potential for danger and long-lasting effects.
I wish I’d had this list when we started caring for my Dad. He’s been gone now for almost two years, but the feelings can linger long after the whole episode is finished. This list and the links below are very helpful in understanding just how tough caregiving can be.
Posted on June 8, 2010 | 1 Comment | Category: Alzheimer's, Autism, Caregiving, Dementia | Tags: caregiver stress, Caregiving, caregiving stress
Yoga helps autistic kids deal with stress
The Chronicle Herald
BRIDGEWATER — Aiya Peters rolls back and forth on her back, pulling her feet up to her nose and giggling a glorious giggle.
“They’re stinky!” the six-year- old laughed.
“Can I get another ice cream?” she asked, squirming over to her mother, lying quietly on the mat beside her.
“Mommy, I love you,” she said, snuggling in for a cuddle.
Seconds later, she’s scampering about again. “Mommy, I have a new friend!
“For her mom, Elsa Veinot, those are beautiful words.Mother and daughter are at a yoga class for children with autism that’s run by the South Shore regional school board.
via Yoga helps autistic kids deal with stress – Nova Scotia News – TheChronicleHerald.ca.
Posted on June 7, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Autism | Tags: Autism, Canada, caregiver stress, children with Autism, stress, yoga
Caregiver stress is a big health concern
Caregiving Club
April is Autism Awareness month. It’s also National Stress Relief Month. Caring for children with autism or adults with Alzheimer’s (or both!) is stressful, which can cause health problems for you the caregiver and for the loved one you are caring for. Read on for some tips from the Caregiving Club on caregiver stress reduction. And don’t forget to join LoJack SafetyNet’s Twitter contest that was designed with stress relief in mind – the prize is a $100 spa gift card!
Today is the start of National Stress Relief Month. And, although today is also April Fool’s Day – the stress that caregivers feel is not a joke.
Numerous studies, including one conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving and Evercare, show that caregivers cite stress as their Number One health issue in caring for their loved one. In addition, one study from the Commonwealth Fund found that caregivers are twice as likely as the general population to develop multiple chronic illnesses sooner in life related to the increased stress of caregiving.
Posted on April 2, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Autism, Caregiving, Dementia, Down Syndrome | Tags: caregiver stress, family caregiving
Dementia Caregiving: Don’t take things personally!
cohealth blog
In this post from the CoHealth Blog, the blogger introduces Principle Number 9 of caring for someone with dementia. It deals with one of the hardest aspects of dementia caregiving – difficult behavior. Don’t take it personally; often that language or behavior is the dementia, not the person you’ve known and loved. Read on.
Principles of Behavior Management with Dementia – Don’t Take it Personally
It is easy to misunderstand or misinterpret the actions of someone with dementia, to wonder why he is saying hurtful things, or to feel offended when his interpersonal behavior and communications are so uncharacteristic for him. Whether in a residential setting or a nursing home, the effects of dementia can produce unpredictable and often offensive emotions, behaviors, and attitudes. Regardless of how long we may have known, loved, and cared for someone, there will be occasions when a coarse, crude comment, a striking out with a clenched fist, or a distasteful act like spitting is directed at the caregiver.
Posted on March 3, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Caregiving, Dementia | Tags: caregiver stress, Caregiving, family caregiving
7 Depression Busters for Caregivers
World of Psychology
Nearly one-third of people caring for terminally ill loved ones suffer from depression according to research from Yale University. About one in four family caregivers meet the clinical criteria of anxiety. And a recent study found that 41 percent of former caregivers of a spouse with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia experienced mild to severe depression up to three years after their spouse had died.
Caregivers are so vulnerable to depression because they often sacrifice their own needs while tending to their loved one and because of the constant stress involved. Here, then, are 12 tips to help protect you from anxiety and depression and to guide you toward good mental health as you care for a relative.
via 7 Depression Busters for Caregivers | World of Psychology.
Posted on February 26, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Caregiving, Dementia | Tags: caregiver stress, Caregiving, depression, family caregiving
Alzheimer’s caregiver stress: causes and solutions
Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation
It’s not surprising that caring for a spouse with Alzheimer’s Disease is stressful. The New York University School of Medicine ’s NYU Spouse-Caregiver Intervention Study is providing information on what exactly leads to that stress and what can reduce it.
There are two important contributors to caregiver stress: lack of social support and caregiver assessment of the patient’s behavior – something that can cause a caregiver to misunderstand their spouse’s actions as intentional, rather than part of their disease.
Read on for how support groups, counseling and education can help reduce caregiver stress.
via Alzheimer’s Research | Alzheimer’s Research on Caregiving.
Posted on February 22, 2010 | 1 Comment | Category: Alzheimer's, Caregiving | Tags: Alzheimer's, caregiver stress
Alzheimer’s Caregiving: Great Resources for Coping With Emotions
Right At Home
As a family caregiver of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed and often times, angry. The anger probably stems from being exhausted, overwhelmed, and frustrated. To make matters worse, it is also very difficult to make sense of the situation and your changing relationship with your loved one–and worse yet, no one to really target your anger towards.
The Duke Family Support Program offers a wide variety of well-written resources for caregivers who are trying to manage their emotions by helping them understand them. One particular resource, “Pressure Points: Alzheimer’s and Anger” helps caregivers navigate through their emotions in a compelling booklet. The booklet can be ordered for $8 through the site.
Posted on January 29, 2010 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's, Caregiving | Tags: Alzheimer's, caregiver stress, Caregiving, family caregiving
5 Ways to Avoid Getting Pushed to the Brink by Alzheimer’s Care
caring.com
One of the scariest aspects of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia is how sorely the job can test patience. Can Alzheimer’s care push a person to the limits? Sure. Can Alzheimer’s care push a person beyond the limits? That’s the question a recent tragic story raises.
via 5 Ways to Avoid Getting Pushed to the Brink by Alzheimers Care.
Posted on December 22, 2009 | No Comments | Category: Alzheimer's | Tags: caregiver stress, Caregiving