If You’re Supporting a Spouse with Alzheimer’s, Be Prepared for More Challenging Times Ahead
Alzheimer’s is challenging. In every respect of that word, it can overwhelm even the most hardened and dedicated caregivers. If you’re supporting an aging parent or other loved one who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you may be feeling the stress and strain impacting your life, just know you’re not alone.
Caregiver stress can affect almost everyone, regardless of their relationship to the senior or the struggles he or she faces on a daily basis.
Yet, when someone has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the challenges will often become much more significant before long. You could very well find yourself feeling like screaming into the air, crying, and wishing you were anywhere but where you have to be.
Things are going to get tougher.
Caregiver Rockford, MI: Alzheimer’s and Seniors
Many people think that they can handle Alzheimer’s because they don’t notice significant signs and symptoms in the beginning. That’s only because those symptoms are still relatively mild in comparison to how things will get in time.
This is a progressive disease, which means everything will become more difficult in time. As a family caregiver, though, you might not be thinking much about that at the time.
Right now, if things seem simple enough, understand that will change. And when it does, you’ll feel the effects of stress much more acutely. And powerfully.
That’s why it’s important to discuss home care options.
It’s not that you don’t want to help this senior in your life or that you can’t handle it. It’s that you will become overwhelmed with stress and anxiety as a caregiver when Alzheimer’s progresses.
The senior will have more struggles with his or her memory. They will become confused more often. Anxiety will increase and that can lead to outburst, aggression, and some horribly hurtful things being said.
This senior will also have more challenges with regard to their physical abilities. She might need help getting out of bed, going to the bathroom, taking a shower, preparing meals, and getting to doctors’ appointments.
If you try to do this alone, you’re going to wear yourself out. If you have others in the family who are stepping up, that’s fine, but nothing beats the experience of a home care aide to help, someone who has supported other seniors with Alzheimer’s through the years.
Don’t discount the value home care offers family caregivers who are supporting an aging senior dealing with Alzheimer’s alone. It could be a huge difference between stress and relief.
If you or someone you know needs help with a Caregiver in Rockford, MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.
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