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There will always be positive or negative surprises that we all will encounter in life and areas where life tests us. No one knows when we may enter an obstacle or a winding road. That’s why life is short and full of surprises, happiness and sickness. Our joy of life determines our stance as much as our resistance.
Alzheimer’s, one of the diseases in life, is a disease that changes the brain. It causes people to lose their ability to remember, think and use common sense. They also have a hard time taking care of themselves. Over time, as the disease worsens, they need more help.1
Alzheimer’s disease is called a family disease because the chronic stress of watching a loved one builds up gradually and affects everyone. An effective treatment meets the needs of the entire family. Caregivers must focus on their own needs, take time for their own health, and regularly seek support and breaks from care to maintain their well-being on this journey of care. Emotional and practical care support for Alzheimer’s disease helps provide the best possible care. 4
Consider also the difficulties you are experiencing now and what you may face in the future, for example;2
- Feeling stressed, depressed or anxious
- Not getting enough sleep
- Feeling tired from working long hours and not taking enough breaks
- Struggling to maintain your physical health
- Struggling to combine care with your job or other commitments
- Finding it difficult to make time for your other interests and hobbies
- Difficulty maintaining relationships with friends and family members
- Practical difficulties such as not being able to drive
- Dealing with challenging behavior
- Not having a plan for emergencies – for example, if you get sick unexpectedly.
We can summarize the basic responsibilities of the caregiver in patient care as follows3:
Ensuring hygienic conditions
Ensuring the patient has adequate nutrition and adequate fluid intake
Timely and complete administration of medications
Keeping the patient socially and physically active (walking, exercise program, indoor activities, etc.)
Providing the necessary support and service if the patient is unable to meet his physical needs.
It will make us feel better not to forget that there are thousands of families who have to experience this problem like us in old age, especially in cases such as Alzheimer’s, which will bring our loved ones and family to a more sensitive point. You are not alone!
Ceren Ozden
Gerontologist
IMA Patient Attendant Services
SOURCES :
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/help-dementia-care/getting-support2
https://www.caregiver.org/ /resource/alzheimers-disease-caregiving/4
https://medlineplus.gov/alzheimerscaregivers1
https://www.alzheimerdernegi.org.tr/alzheimer-hastaligi-nedir/3