Alzheimer’s disease presents unique challenges for both the individual living with the disease and their family and friends caring for them. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, which causes a gradual decline in a person’s cognitive ability and can impact their memory, behaviour, and personality1. As a caregiver, you may feel overwhelmed with the gradual changes in your loved one and the ways you need to adjust in order to continue providing care. Here are three approaches you can consider as you move through the challenges that come with caring for your loved one:
Engage Your Loved One with Meaningful Activities
Finding opportunities to help your loved one maintain independence while also deepening your bond with them can come in the form of planning meaningful activities to do together. Engaging them in activities that are tailored to their interests and require active interaction can provide a feeling of accomplishment, purpose, and enjoyment. Productive activities like folding clothes or setting the table can establish a consistent routine, while cognitive activities like working on a puzzle can stimulate their brain. Leisure activities such as painting or gardening can also encourage social interaction and improve their mood and well-being1.
Ensure that you introduce activities respectfully in a familiar and calm environment for your loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease. Instead of forcing an activity on them, gently encourage participation and understand their boundaries if they aren’t engaged. The goal isn’t necessarily to successfully complete an activity, but rather, the value is in the experience of actively participating.
Recognize Your Limitations as a Caregiver
Taking on a caregiver role can be a difficult, stressful, and often lonely experience. Accept the spectrum of emotions you may experience caring for your loved one – both positive and negative. Talk about how you are honestly feeling with close friends and family, or keep a personal journal to write down your reflections and thoughts. Check in with yourself and carve out time to do things that you enjoy or that bring a sense of control back into your life, whether that includes exercise, hobbies, or quiet time without screens – anything that brings you joy and helps you feel recharged. It’s only by prioritizing yourself and looking after yourself that will enable you to be an effective caregiver for your loved one.
Most importantly, go easy on yourself and try as best as possible to understand what you need to in order to cope well. When you take on numerous responsibilities every day, this can leave you feeling disconnected and exhausted which can lead to burnout. The first step is to set boundaries for yourself and create realistic expectations of what you are capable of doing each day. Accept your own limitations as one person and recognize when and where you need support.
Next, don’t be afraid to ask other family members for help – this can include delegating responsibilities such as setting up automatic bill payments, ordering items online, or completing forms. Promoting communication between family members gives them the opportunity to contribute, share tasks, and can alleviate stress you may feel as a primary caregiver2. If family members aren’t available to help out, it may be worthwhile to seek out support from a third party to assist in providing homecare services.
Along with that, openly seek out community support. This can include reaching out to your family member’s doctor to ask any questions and talk about your concerns, or researching useful tips and information through your local Alzheimer’s Society and local libraries. Consider joining a caregiver support group to encourage one another through the mutual challenges you face together3.
Learn Helpful Communication Strategies
The way you communicate with your loved one can make a significant difference in how supported they feel. This means being patient with them and giving them the time to express themselves during a conversation without interrupting. Using an approach such as positive redirection engages your loved one in conversation that validates their feelings and their perception of reality. Meet them where they’re at and listen to their thoughts, and potentially redirect their focus towards a meaningful activity.
For example, if your loved one feels distressed that they can’t find a book they are reading, respond with something like, “I can understand why you are frustrated with losing your book. I often lose my books and belongings as well – let’s look for it together. How about we look for the book by the table over there? While we’re there, do you want to continue working on the puzzle that you started yesterday?”4 By pointing their attention towards something else, this helps to instill a reassuring calm feeling within the person and avoids creating unnecessary stress.
Don’t be discouraged if the journey isn’t linear – there will be days of improvements and days of frustration. There isn’t one “right” way of communicating with all individuals, so try different strategies to find what works best with your loved one. These communication techniques will take time and practice so it’s equally important to be patient with yourself as well.
At the end of the day, many unknowns may remain as you care for your loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease. It’s normal to feel uncertain about what lies ahead as the disease changes over time, but the moments you share with your loved one can still be very meaningful and fulfilling. Know that you are not alone and that there are helpful supports that can assist and empower you as a caregiver.
Learn more about our Dementia Care Services: https://www.cbihealth.ca/services/dementia-care
Sources
- Meaningful Activity for Persons with Dementia: Family Caregiver Perspectives. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias. 2015. Vol 30(6): 559-568. [Link].
- Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease. CBI Home Health: Dementia Alzheimer’s Guide. 2018.
- Community Changes Everything. Alzheimer Society. 2022. [Link].
- Community Strategies: Ways to Maximize Success When Communicating with Someone With Dementia. Saskatchewan Health Authority. 2012. [Link]