Care Options for Persons With Alzheimer’s When You Need a Break

Caring for an Alzheimer’s patient is a loving act, but it’s a hard job emotionally and physically. I know because I took care of my father for 2 Ã?½ years. I chose to take care of him because I loved him, but it’s hard to be prepared when you’re untrained to handle the constant care that someone with Alzheimer’s does require eventually. Take some stock and comfort in the fact that you can take care of them, at least for a little while, but still find ways to get relief for yourself in the mean time.

The emotional aspect makes the physical care for your loved one tenuous. You know that they won’t be around forever, and it could be that you’re afraid that it will be because you will burn out physically and emotionally. If you don’t take care of yourself, it will happen, and then your loved one could be stranded temporarily, without anyone to care for their immediate needs. You’re goal is to keep them independent, and as healthy as they can be with your help. During my father’s illness with Alzheimer’s I sought help using a few of the following tactics, and it’s a sure bet that you’ll need to employ some of these helpers too.

Adult daycare is an option that works.

There’s so much for an Alzheimer’s patient to do during one day. It is important that they remain entertained to avoid wandering and other mishaps. For example, craft activities for their hands and minds that keep them active and focused. It helps offset too some of the effects of the disease by keeping their skills levels as good as they can be. Social interaction is another important factor too. My father enjoyed going because he looked forward to talking with others that were in his age group and peer status. He had someone else to discuss things with him, and in a way with him that I either didn’t know about, or I didn’t know how to. It’s interesting to note, that before he got to the point that he had to leave his beloved Senior Citizens Center, where he played pool all the time, he then loved the other interaction of adult daycare.

Adult daycare offers much more than socializing and games. It creates friendships, new memories, and also helps maintain a system of support for the person dealing with the disease. The most important thing is keeping them healthy and happy so that they can retain some dignity for a while. Adult daycare may be the best option if you are looking to free up your days for work or even personal time.

Respite care is an option too.

The chance to go away for a short period of time to a quality nursing home, not only does you some good for rest and recuperation, but it seems for many Alzheimer’ patients it frees them for a change of scenery too. I never used respite care for my father, but if he or I needed it, it would have been a definite tool to use. Respite care is really important for your loved one if they are mobile, and need a break with socialization and activities; respite care is the way to go.

Many insurance policies cover respite care, so be sure to check with them, if you or your Alzheimer’s patient needs a break. Respite care can be like a mini vacation where the Alzheimer’s patient can get massages or their teeth and hair done, read books, sit outdoors in the sun, visit with animals like dogs and rabbits, or just talk and play games with the other patients. Sometimes a change of scenery is the best way to calm burning issues, even if just for a week. When they come home you should see a great improvement in attitude.

Weekend respite care.

A new option that caregivers can use is the weekend respite care. There are several states that have alliances for caregivers that offer the option for a minimal cost. Again, some insurance policies cover this cost. A good website to checkout on the Internet is http://www.caregivers.org . You’ll find tons of useful information like, the 50 state care giving alliances, and other sources of help for care. Also, look to http://www.alz.org for information on the issues of Alzheimer’s disease.

Church and other family support systems.

My father attended a church that provided caregivers the option to go to the service. Adults watched them during the service, and provided the right kind of spiritual guidance for his abilities. Other family members would help at times, such as when my father was not well enough to go out, or when I needed help with watching him while I mowed the yard or housework even.

Church is also a great place to get an Alzheimer’s patient active in being part of a group, which can greatly ease some of the emotional pain of having Alzheimer’s. In church they can stand up and sing with everyone else, pray together, and build lasting relationships. All of this is vital in maintaining quality mental health of the person you are caring for.

Visit family often especially if there are children and new babies. My father used to love to sit and play games with the children, and it would occupy the space of his mind while I visited with family. Visiting family often helped me feel better throughout the entire process because I was able to relieve some of the stresses I was feeling, and reach out for help.

Remember, there’s help all around you, just reach out and make contact with those around you. Don’t be afraid to ask, others want to help you and your loved one enjoy your time together as much as possible. If you are in need there will always be a helping hand from family, to nurses, and volunteers.