Alzheimer’s Care: Tips for Maintaining Emotional and Physical Fitness

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Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease impacts every aspect of daily life.  As Alzheimer’s patients lose one ability after another, caregivers face tests of stamina, problem-solving, and resiliency.  During this long and difficult journey, communication diminishes, rewards decrease, and without strong support, caretakers face challenges to their own well-being.

Maintaining emotional and physical fitness is crucial. Preparing and protecting yourself, working to understand your loved one’s experience, and embracing help from others can minimize the hazards and enhance the joys of your caregiving experience.

 The Alzheimer’s care journey

The challenges and rewards of Alzheimer’s care

Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease is often a series of grief experiences as you watch memories disappear and skills erode.  Initially, this process can go unnoticed until difficulties impact more areas of daily life and the disease can no longer be denied. For both caretakers and their loved ones, this often produces an emotional wallop of confusion, anger and sadness.  If left unchecked, these feelings can last throughout a caregiver’s long journey.

Exploring common Alzheimer’s experiences can shift your perspective and show you that you are not alone. For many, Alzheimer’s care includes not only challenges but many rich rewards:

Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s Disease
Challenges:	Rewards:
Overwhelming emotions as capabilities lessen Fatigue and exhaustion as caregiving demands increase Isolation and loneliness as independence disappears Financial and work complications as costs rise and resources are challenged	Bonds deepen through care, companionship, and service Problem solving and relationship skills grow through experience New relationships form through education and support Unexpected rewards develop through compassion and acceptance