Care Options for Persons With Alzheimer's When You Need a Break

Caring for an Alzheimer’s patient is a loving act, but it’s a hard job emotionally and physically. I know because I took care of my father for 2 ½ years. I chose to take care of him because I loved him, but it’s hard to be prepared when you’re untrained to handle the constant care that someone with Alzheimer’s does require eventually. Take some stock and comfort in the fact that you can take care of them, at least for a little while, but still find ways to get relief for yourself in the mean time.

The emotional aspect makes the physical care for your loved one tenuous. You know that they won’t be around forever, and it could be that you’re afraid that it will be because you will burn out physically and emotionally. If you don’t take care of yourself, it will happen, and then your loved one could be stranded temporarily, without anyone to care for their immediate needs. You’re goal is to keep them independent, and as healthy as they can be with your help. During my father’s illness with Alzheimer’s I sought help using a few of the following tactics, and it’s a sure bet that you’ll need to employ some of these helpers too.

Adult daycare is an option that works.

There’s so much for an Alzheimer’s patient to do during one day. It is important that they remain entertained to avoid wandering and other mishaps. For example, craft activities for their hands and minds that keep them active and focused. It helps offset too some of the effects of the disease by keeping their skills levels as good as they can be. Social interaction is another important factor too. My father enjoyed going because he looked forward to talking with others that were in his age group and peer status. He had someone else to discuss things with him, and in a way with him that I either didn’t know about, or I didn’t know how to. It’s interesting to note, that before he got to the point that he had to leave his beloved Senior Citizens Center, where he played pool all the time, he then loved the other interaction of adult daycare.