Caregiving for a person with dementia is challenging on multiple fronts. First, there is the sadness and grief associated with watching someone you love lose their memory and physical abilities day by day. Then, there is general fatigue that accompanies the physical and emotional labor associated with taking care of another adult.
When you combine those factors with other stresses experienced by those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s (financial, lack of time to care for self, keeping track of schedules and medications, etc.), it’s no wonder dementia caregiver stress is so prevalent.
Keep reading for tips on how to address dementia caregiver stress.
Signs of Dementia Caregiver Stress
The first step in finding relief from caregiver stress and potential burnout is recognizing the symptoms and signs.
Some of the most common symptoms or signs of dementia caregiver stress include:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irregular eating habits (overeating or skipping meals)
- Constant fatigue
- Unusual irritability or moodiness
- Feelings of anxiety or overwhelm
- Being over-controlling or micromanaging (feeling as if you’re the only one who can do things right)
- Depression or constant sadness
- Anger/rage
- Difficulty concentrating
- New or worsening health/medical issues
The list goes on. If any of these sound familiar, take a deep breath and know you’re not alone. There isn’t a single caregiver who doesn’t understand what you’re going through, and help is on the horizon.
Successful Ways to Cope With Dementia Caregiver Stress
Here are some of the most proven ways to ensure your needs are met on all fronts to minimize dementia caregiver stress allow you and your loved one to enjoy the highest-quality life possible.
1. Ask for Help and Support
If you’re experiencing dementia caregiver stress, it’s time to ask for help. Support is available in many ways, including:
- Using part-time professional caregiving shifts (ask other family members to help pay for these shifts as their way of helping out).
- Take advantage of respite care (more on that below).
- Enlist others to help out by running errands, preparing meals and snacks, providing light housekeeping or laundry support, and so on.
And, don’t forget about the online and in-person caregiver support groups available to you. Spending time with others who are walking the same path as you eliminates feelings of isolation and provides a wealth of heart-centered and sympathetic support from people who genuinely understand.
2. Create a Self-Care Routine
Managing dementia caregiver stress means taking care of your body, mind, and spirit. To that end, we recommend creating a self-care routine that you can maintain throughout your day. This includes things like:
- Eat a well-balanced diet. Right now, your body needs high-quality nourishment, and that means eating a well-balanced diet. In fact, the same foods that support those with dementia are good for you as well!
- Exercise at least 15 to 30 minutes per day. Have a family member, professional caregiver, or friend/neighbor who can stay with your loved one while you have the chance to take an exercise break. Exercising can also be done with your loved one! Core and balance exercises are great for you and your loved one.
- Use a mindfulness app. Free mindfulness apps abound, and all offer a wide range of practices to appeal to any personality type. From guided visualizations to help you unwind or get to sleep or breathing exercises to manage stress, these apps are a way to nourish your spirit in time blocks that work for you.
- Honor your favorite things. What are the things, activities, or hobbies that bring you joy? Make a list, and then do your best to honor at least one of those each week. Then, share that list with your family and friends and give them the chance to remind you and provide opportunities to keep you in touch with your joy.
Finding ways to still the busy mind, minimize stress and anxiety, and find greater meaning and joy in your life will benefit you and your loved one.
3. Reach Out to Your Social Circle
Everyone is busy so even the most well-meaning people seem to fall off the radar once you fade out of the normal social routine to honor caregiving responsibilities. Now is the time to intentionally craft ways to connect socially with friends and peers, even if it’s not in the same ways you used to.
To start, FaceTime or Zoom lunches once per week may work best. Over time, you may even find ways to get away for an afternoon or a weekend using family/friend-based or professional respite care.
4. Use Respite Care Options
Professional caregiving agencies offer respite care. This service is offered specifically for households like yours.
While you’re “technically” able to provide full-time caregiving for a spouse or family member, the reality is that everyone needs breaks, time off, and vacations. Your “full-time” caregiver job is an unprecedented 24/7 work shift, and it’s not sustainable.
Respite care offers the chance to form a relationship with a licensed caregiving agency and then schedule shifts that give you time to:
- Meet with friends, attend family members’ extracurricular activities, and participate in family events.
- Take a day (or days) off for a full reprieve.
- Have time to get out and run your errands and do chores without worrying about your loved one, reclaiming the “real” you.
- Take a vacation.
Ultimately, respite care is designed so you can do whatever you want or need to do to recharge your battery and minimize dementia caregiver stress or burnout.
Let Us Help With Dementia Caregiver Stress
At Families Choice Home Care, we offer a wide range of caregiving services. You need to remember to take care of yourself and we can help you do just that. We can provide dependable and professional care for your loved one and help to relieve some dementia caregiver stress.
Interested in learning more? Schedule a free assessment to help determine your needs.
