"Dear Ask an OT, I have been taking care of my 79 year old father who is in late stage Alzheimer’s disease by myself for almost 2 years now. Most days I feel isolated and resentful of this role. I’m afraid these feelings are hindering my ability to care for my father. What can I do to improve my quality of life while continuing to be a caregiver? "
-Isolated in Illinois
Dear Isolated in Illinois,
We all need to find pleasure in our daily lives. Some of the most important care you can give doesn’t have anything to do with medicine, baths, or helping someone eat. A laugh or a shared cup of tea are just as important for the care receiver’s well-being as any physical care you provide. Enjoying life’s pleasures do not have to end when illness or disability strikes. As you continue your time as a caregiver, stop and smell the roses along the way. Don’t forget to share their wonderful aroma with the care receiver. Good health is more than a healthy body. You both will live better and enjoy life more if you care for yourself as a whole including your emotional and spiritual needs. Here are some tips that may be helpful:
1) Keep social connections
· Caring for another person can dramatically change your social life. If may be hard for you to get out and socialize. Friends may no longer come to visit or include you in their activities. You and your care receiver may begin to feel lonely and isolated. Here are some ideas to help you both keep up social connections
o Encourage people to visit
§ Be honest about your limitations! If you are not able to invite someone for dinner ask them to stop by for a cup of coffee
§ If it’s hard for others to visit, suggest they send cars or letters, or make short phone calls.
§ A successful visit doesn’t have to revolve around conversation only-read aloud, take a walk, play cards, watch a ball game-these activities are often more enjoyable for everyone.
2) Keep your mind active
· The mind is like a muscle-it needs regular workouts. Set aside at least 10 minutes a day to exercise your mind. Here a few mind activity suggestions:
o Maintain spiritual practices
o Engage in plenty of stimulating conversations
o Read books, newspapers, magazines, etc.
o Play games like scrabble, cards and chess
o Begin a new hobby
o Cross-word puzzles and word games
§ If the care receiver has dementia, some of these activities may be frustrating for you both to participate in. If they are too difficult or stressful, change activities or modify them to make them easier. Find activities you enjoy, and invite the care receiver to participate in some way. For more information on planning activities for a person with dementia, visit www.alz.org
3) Practice good nutrition
· Good eating habits keep your body healthier and improve how you feel. Making even one improvement in your diet will be a step toward healthier eating for you and for the care receiver. Here are some tips to good nutrition:
o Include plenty fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nonfat dairy products
o Watch calories to prevent weight gain
o Limiting alcohol, salt, sugar, saturated fats, trans-fats, and cholesterol
o Drink plenty fluids
§ Adults need at least 6-8 glasses of water a day
4) Keep your body active
· Many people think being physically active means playing sports or going to a gym and getting hot and sweaty. When in reality , there is now strong scientific evidence that moderate physical activity-like taking a brisk walk for thirty minutes each day most days of the week-is enough to see real health benefits and prevent certain diseases. If the care receiver is unable to engage in physical activity with you and you are unable to leave the residence then there are physical activities you can engage in inside the home,
o Match your interest and needs to the activity. Choose an activity you enjoy enough to do enthusiastically.
o Alternate new activities with old favorites to keep things fresh
o Get a family member or friend involved
o Make us of everyday routines, take the stairs instead of the elevator, use a rake rather than a leaf blower, walk or bike to the corner store instead of driving, or do stretching exercises while watching TV.
5) Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
· Learn more about this topic in our next blog.
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experts, please post them in the comment box below or email them to
asu.ask.an.ot@gmail.com. Questions are reviewed and answered weekly. Each expert is a
registered and licensed occupational therapist. Visit ASK an OT's first blog
post to read more about our experts, Dr. Susan Philhower Denham Ed.D, OTR/L,
CHT and Dr. Jewell J. Dickson, OTD, MPH, OTR/L, ATP.
Disclaimer: The information contained on this blog is
intended for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice,
substitute for medical advice, nor is it a referral for occupational
therapy services. You should consult a physician regarding medical diagnosis or
treatment.
Alyson Hardin, OTS
Catherine Howle, OTS
Natalie Parrish, OTS