Caregiving is a demanding job that you commit to out of love, loyalty, compassion, and often necessity. And when the person you're caring for has dementia, the job is especially difficult. It comes with a long list of physical, financial, logistical, and emotional challenges. Which are the most difficult, and how can you cope?
According to an Alzheimer's Association survey, the top five stressors caregivers say are most burdensome: Costs, coordinating numerous doctor visits, securing doctor appointments, finding the right doctors, and getting help to take a break (respite care).Only half of the caregivers surveyed had ever spoken with health care professionals for guidance.
Caring for a person with dementia is physically and emotionally demanding. For example, you might need to help a loved one with bathing, dressing, eating, and getting in and out of a car. It takes physical strength and stamina.
Caregiving also puts you through an emotional wringer. It's common to feel frustration with the unpredictability of your loved one's behavior: one day they understand and recognize you, but the next day they don't. You might feel helpless if you don't know how to communicate with a loved one or how to cope with dementia-specific behaviors such as sundowning (meltdowns at the end of each day). You might feel anguish that they might not be getting adequate care. Above all, you probably feel grief at gradually losing the individual you once knew.Caregivers might also experience anger from the demands of nonstop caregiving. Then, recognizing their anger, caregivers might immediately feel guilty about resenting the loved one or having a desire to take time for themselves.The combination of stressors puts caregivers at high risk for burnout, high blood pressure, sleep problems, depression, isolation, weight changes, and even premature death.
Resolving caregiving challenges is an ongoing process. Here are some ways to get started.For logistical challenges: Talk to your loved one's doctors about whether you can consolidate numerous appointments on the same days or do some visits as a video or phone call.