Our Ask An Angel correspondent is Arlene Petersen, Life Care Navigation Specialist in the area of senior home care.
Q. I have taken on the role of caregiver for my mother. She has Alzheimerās Disease. Iām finding it challenging to care for her. How can I maintain my sanity as well as her dignity?
A. When a loved one has Alzheimerās they begin to lose a sense of who they are. So often, those caring for a loved one with this disease can easily forget to interact with kindness and respect. Sometimes, interaction with a loved-one can become negative. I commend you for recognizing that you have limits as you care for your mother. So what can you do? I believe it is essential for you to pour into your own well-being. That means taking time for yourself and doing what energizes you. Exercising, having a hobby, and making time for your own social life are just a few examples to maintain your āsanity.ā Once you fill your ābucketā you will have more patience and energy to care for your mother. So often, people are challenged with time and feelings of guilt to indulge in their own well-being. It is an essential, though, in caregiving. Friends or other family members can help fill in the gap in giving you a break so that you can re-energize yourself. If this is not an option, consider adult day-care or a possibly contracting a professional caregiver who can provide come and go companion care for your mother while you are out. The Alzheimerās patient can decline in health with depression or withdrawing from the things they used to like. Someone with Alzheimerās needs to know they are valued and loved as well as cared for and safe. Pour into your motherās life with quality time, tapping into things that would enforce that you love her and want the best for her. Simple activities can help you with this. If you feel at a loss on how to proceed, try an Alzheimerās support group in your area. Senior Services Associates or your local hospital or church will have some good resources to start with.
Have a question for our angel correspondent? You can send our angel an email to apetersen@visitingangels.com or send your question via mail to Ask An Angel, 65 Woodbury St., South Elgin, IL 60177.
