(WNY News Now) – As National Family Caregivers and Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month unfold, the Alzheimer’s Association calls for caregivers to focus on their own health and well-being amid the stresses of dementia care.
BUFFALO, N.Y. – During National Family Caregivers and National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month in November, the Alzheimer’s Association is encouraging dementia caregivers to make their own health an equal priority as they navigate the demands and stresses of caring for someone else.
“As difficult as it may be, caregivers need to make their health and well-being an equal priority,” said Amanda Nobrega, vice president of programs for Upstate New York Chapters. “Maintaining your health can help you be a better caregiver. No caregiver should face this disease alone. The Alzheimer’s Association is here to help.”
Currently, there are more than 543,000 caregivers in New York State providing care to more than 426,500 individuals living with Alzheimer’s.
Caring for those living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia poses special challenges for family caregivers. As dementia symptoms worsen, caregivers can experience increased emotional stress, depression, anxiety, and new or worsened health problems. In addition, caregivers often experience depleted finances due to disruptions in employment and paying for health care or other services.
“Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s takes longer, lasts longer, is more personal and extensive than most other diseases, and takes a heavy toll on the health of the caregivers themselves,” Nobrega said. “During the course of the disease, caregiving tasks escalate and become more intensive. As a result, many dementia caregivers neglect their own health needs and that can lead to a crisis.”
Across the country, 59% of dementia caregivers report high to very high emotional stress due to caregiving and 38% report high to very high physical stress due to caregiving. Seventy-four percent of dementia caregivers report they are “somewhat concerned” to “very concerned” about maintaining their own health since becoming a caregiver. In New York, 12% report frequent poor physical health and nearly 25% report depression.
To help caregivers balance competing priorities while maintaining their overall health and well-being, the Alzheimer’s Association offers these tips:
● Find time for yourself. It’s normal to need a break from caregiving duties. No one can do it all by themselves. Consider taking advantage of respite care or help from family and friends to spend time doing something you enjoy.
● Become an educated caregiver. Understand the disease, its progression and accompanying behavioral and physical changes. Know resources in your community that can help.
● Build a support network. Organize friends and family who want to help provide care and support. Access local caregiver support groups or online communities, such as ALZConnected, to connect with other caregivers. If stress becomes overwhelming, seek professional help.
● Take care of yourself. Try to eat well, exercise and get plenty of rest. Making sure that you are healthy can help you be a better caregiver.
● Avoid caregiver burnout. Sustained caregiver stress can lead to caregiver burnout – a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion. The Alzheimer’s Association offers Caregiver Stress Check to help caregivers identify and avoid caregiver burnout.
● Accept changes. Eventually your loved one will need more intensive kinds of care. Research care options now so you are ready for the changes as they occur.
● Know you’re doing your best. It’s normal to lose patience or feel like your care may fall short sometimes. You’re doing the best you can. For support and encouragement, consider joining an online or in-person support group.
“It’s important that dementia caregivers not isolate themselves,” Nobrega said. “Connecting with other caregivers and support organizations can help you find the information, resources and emotional support needed to help stay physically and emotionally strong so you can take care of yourself while you provide care to others. In the end, taking care of yourself so you can be a better caregiver is really a gift to the person you are caring for.”
The Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association offers more than two dozen caregiver support groups, both in-person and online. Caregivers can choose a support group based on their location or their particular circumstances, such as groups for wives, daughters, men or LGBTQ+ partners. For more information on support groups or caregiver education classes, visit the online services guide at alz.org/wnyprogramguide.
The Alzheimer’s Association provides local support and programs to families facing Alzheimer’s and other dementia, including a 24-7 Helpline staffed by master’s-level clinicians and specialists who are available 365 days a year and can help families navigate a variety of disease-related issues. Call 800-272-3900.