People who provide Alzheimer’s caregiving for a loved one are prime candidates for impossible workloads and high stress levels. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily tasks required caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s and these selfless personalities tend to put all of these needs before their own needs. But, seeking respite and taking much deserved breaks is important, not only for the caregiver, but for the Alzheimer’s loved one, as well.
In this Elder Law Minute, Wes Coulson, Southern Illinois Elder Law attorney, discusses another topic covered in The Alzheimer’s Guide: Practical Advice for Families, Caregivers and Professionals and speaks specifically to people who provide Alzheimer’s caregiving for a loved one and the importance of managing their workload and ultimately their stress level.
Alzheimer’s Caregiving: The importance of managing your workload and stress
Transcript:
Hi, I’m Wes Coulson and this is your Elder Law Minute. This is another in our series of videos that talk about things that we cover in more detail in our Alzheimer’s Guide. I want to talk today specifically to Alzheimer’s caregivers about managing your workload and your stress level.
You know, caregiving for somebody with Alzheimer’s is really caregiving turned upside down. Here’s what I mean about that: For most people, our experience as caregivers taking care of our kids growing up and that gets easier, and takes less work, as it goes along. We see progress and we’re young and it’s all wonderful. But. then when we care for somebody older with Alzheimer’s, it’s a much different experience. It doesn’t get easier, it gets gradually harder. We don’t see progress, we see deterioration. And our own age and energy level is a real consideration.
So, you have to remember that you’re in this for the long run and that if you want to keep your loved one at home, you’ve got to still be strong, not just now, but three years from now, five years maybe more than five years from now. You’ve got to give yourself breaks, you have to get respite. You owe it to yourself and you owe it to your loved one. Thanks.
For more information on Alzheimer’s Guide Topics, visit these articles
- Memory Care: The relatively new option for Alzheimer’s care
- Alzheimer’s and Unpaid Family Caregivers
- Alzheimer’s and Driving: Why having “the conversation” can be a bad idea
“Your Trusted Advisor on the Elder Care Journey”
Dent-Coulson Elder Law is dedicated to providing families in the St. Louis area with their Elder Law needs. Our practice areas include Asset Preservation Planning, Veterans Benefits, Medicaid Eligibility, Alzheimer’s Planning, Special Needs Planning, Estate Planning and more. We understand the financial challenges you may face as you and your loved ones grow older. At Dent-Coulson Elder Law, our clients’ well-being is our number one priority. For immediate help, call (877)995-6876 or Contact Us and we will get in touch as soon as possible.
