If you have your near and dear ones suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, it is a grueling job to provide caregiving to them. The task becomes all the more difficult when the person concerned is your parent or children. In this busy world, where you hardly have time for your daily activities, providing care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is challenging. It requires a proper balance of patience and hard work to help individuals cope up with the situation.
Often people find themselves sandwiched between the responsibility of a caregiver and a parent. Spending hours for providing timely medicines, other parents’ other needs, filing insurance forms, and checking homework are all daunting tasks.
However, it is vital to learn about Alzheimer’s disease and plan strategically to make life easier. If you have become a part of the sandwich generation’s rank, there are a few key points that can help you perform the role smoothly.
Things you need to contemplate when you are an Alzheimer’s caregiver
According to experts, the sooner you take on the care giving role, the better it is. There are a lot of preparations that go into the process. Various questions related to whether your loved one will move with you, whether you have financial support to provide care, whether you have sufficient space to provide for them need consideration. However, there are a few key points that can help you in your caregiving task.
- Life expectancy: for individuals who have dementia, their life expectancy depends upon the stage of diagnosis. Many individuals with the disease live for eight to ten years, and some even more. Keep in mind that becoming a caregiver is a long term commitment.
- The demands of caregiving will enhance: when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, you must know that as the disease progresses, the needs of the disease also improves. It is because the individual becomes increasingly dependent on you, and you may have to spend more hours taking care of them. According to memory care facilities in Portland, ME, caregiving becomes a full-time job of 40 hours a week at the advanced stages. It demands all your time and attention.
- Caregiving may affect your job: many individuals have to continue with their job full or part-time along with care giving. Many individuals have complained that their care giving has significantly impacted their careers.
- It may affect your family: Although many people expect to protect their young children from the disease and its related responsibilities, in the long run, it becomes challenging. However, what you can do is explore ways to get your children involved in the care giving activities which may benefit your loved ones and the kids.
- Impact of caregiving on finances: dementia is a long term disease and an infection that progresses with age. As a result, the demand for medication also increases at the advanced stage of the disease. It has a significant impact on an individual’s finances, and the situation may worsen if they decide to leave their job. However, if you get hold of memory care facilities near you, it can help you take care of finances. They have all the appropriate equipment that may assist in the process of treatment. Try to get in touch with secured memory care units nearby.
Family issues related to Alzheimer’s disease
It is a difficult task to balance the needs of the disease and the requirements of the children. There are a few suggestions that may help you to bring proper balance in family matters.
- Try explaining the situation to the kids: kids can easily discern something wrong in the family. So you should not hide the problem, but you should present them with the crisis. When you are involved in care giving tasks, your children may feel left out. It is essential to explain to them the needs of Alzheimer’s and your role in the process.
- Involving the kids: research worldwide reveals that children of the sandwich generation can assist you in caregiving. They can provide entertainment, do simple family chores, take them for doctor’s appointments, etc. However, keep in mind that all kids are not equally receptive. Never try to burden the kids with care giving responsibilities.
- Family meetings: amid care giving activities, never try to take your family for granted. You must sit with your family members periodically and talk to them about different topics. Try to discuss severe issues regarding the care giving situation and its impact on the rest of the family. Make proper arrangements that may work for everyone.
A proper balance between family life and care giving activities is essential to lead an everyday life. In case you are overwhelmed, it is good to take refuge in your habits. Try to do activities that give you relaxation and happiness. It will encourage you and keep you motivated.
