How to Beat Stress & Anxiety When Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s

By 9  am on

Beat Stress & Anxiety When Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's in Des Moines, IA

Caring for a senior loved one with Alzheimer’s may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever face. On top of having more responsibilities to handle each day, you may also be facing difficult emotions as you watch your loved one’s cognitive abilities decrease. Seeing someone you love face serious challenges can make it difficult to look at the bright side of life. Finding ways to beat the stress and anxiety you face can help you provide high-quality care for your loved one while also caring for yourself.

Set Up Safeguards for Your Biggest Worries

Anxiety takes on a whole new meaning when your loved one reaches the middle to late stages of Alzheimer’s. You might be afraid of mixing up medications or worry about your loved one wandering outside while you take a shower. Technology makes it easier to let go of these concerns. Try using an automatic medication dispenser that prints out a log of your loved one’s doses so you can double-check. Home alarm systems can also alert you to potentially dangerous activity on your loved one’s part. Hiring a home caregiver can relieve a great deal of the stress and anxiety associated with caring for your loved one. Families looking for top-rated home care service providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.

Learn How to Communicate with Your Loved One

Seniors with Alzheimer’s sometimes develop personality changes that may leave caregivers feeling stressed. Instead of letting these things get to you, try finding ways to communicate better. In some instances, it might be fine to let your loved one believe a delusion if it doesn’t harm him or her. You also need to avoid raising your voice if your loved one begins to argue about something you say. Staying calm and knowing when to pick your battles can reduce stress from communication conflicts.

Let Go of the Little Things

You might be a perfectionist, and it’s a good quality for a caregiver to have. However, there may be times when it’s better to just let some things go so you can reduce stress. For instance, you might ask yourself if it really matters if your loved one insists on wearing pajamas all day if you aren’t going anywhere anyway. While you don’t want to skip your tasks all the time, you also need to forgive yourself if the laundry sits for an extra day, as long as your parent has clean clothes to wear.

Appoint a Nighttime Caregiver

You need proper rest to manage the stress and anxiety you experience. However, this may become difficult to achieve as your loved one advances through the stages of the condition. Don’t try to take care of your loved one after pulling an all-nighter. Instead, hire someone to watch after your loved one at night once wake-ups become frequent. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of senior home care Des Moines, IA, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

Talk to a Professional Counselor

Even with good self-care, being a caregiver to someone with Alzheimer’s can take a toll on your emotional wellbeing. Talk to a professional counselor or join a support group where you have a safe place to vent feelings such as grief and loss. Respite care is an option that can clear an hour or two for you to see a counselor while your loved one benefits from socialization.  The days, weeks, and months following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be challenging for both seniors and their families. However, these challenges can be made less stressful with the help of caregivers trained in professional Alzheimer’s care. Des Moines Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one enjoy the golden years while simultaneously managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Home Care Assistance can be your trusted partner in caregiving for your aging loved one. Contact one of our experienced Care Managers today at (515) 264-2438 to learn more about our reliable in-home care services. 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOG

    Request Free Information or
    Schedule a Free in-Home Consultation