Real-Life Strategies for Caring for Someone with Memory Loss
Caring for a person with memory loss can be difficult, stressful, and even overwhelming. But it also can be one of the most gratifying, humbling and rewarding experiences in life. Whether assisting a spouse, relative or friend, caregivers are the backbone of long-term care.
Over time, as a loved one’s memory continues to decline, caregiving becomes more and more stressful and challenging. The demand for care naturally increases and time, energy, and effort are taken away from one’s own life. This can lead to, what we call, ‘caregiver burnout,’ or worse, lead to other physical or mental illnesses. Since caregiving can be draining physically, emotionally and financially, the best way to ensure quality care for someone else is to always be mindful of your own self-care. The better you take care of yourself, the better you can take care of a loved one.
Effective self-care begins with the development of a caregiving plan. Though you can never anticipate every detail or situation, getting the basics covered is a great first step. From the start, you must decide what type of care you are able and willing and able to provide. Also, determine which relatives, friends or professionals are available to assist you.
Gaining insight into many of the hurdles you may face, and discovering creative solutions to those challenges, will better enable you to cope with the daily challenges of being a caregiver. Adopting these seven pillars of care can make your role as caregiver more manageable and rewarding:
