When apathetic behaviors set in, your loved one may have the cognitive ability to engage in self-care or other daily activities that they once participated in, but they simply do not do so without extra support.
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives the right to employees to take up to 12 workweeks of job-protected unpaid leave to care for a spouse, son, daughter, or parent with a serious health condition – but you must be eligible.
Problems with sleep are common in older adults, but people with dementia have a much more difficult time.
As a caretaker of a loved one with dementia, frequent sleep disturbances can be stressful, and they can lead to mental and physical exhaustion for everyone involved. The initial steps that you can take to help your loved one (and you) get a better night’s sleep are to understand what can cause the sleep issues and to rule any contributing factors out.
When your loved one keeps calling you, it’s most likely because they need something – even if it’s just a chat to alleviate loneliness. If you’re finding their constant calls frustrating, there are things you can do to reassure your loved one and bring some routine into their life – and a little peace back into yours.
It can be difficult to think about the end of life, but as a caregiver, planning ensures that the best support and comfort is provided to your loved one throughout late-stage dementia and the end-of-life experience.
Fifty years ago, psychologist Herbert J. Freudenberger studied and summed up the symptoms of chronic fatigue in medical and caregiving professions with the term burnout. He described it as a “state of mental and physical exhaustion caused by one’s professional life.”
Having a daily routine when caring for a loved one with dementia can decrease stress for you both, prevent burnout and allow you to make time for yourself.
Are you suffering from caregiver stress? This stress checklist can help you to determine what might be signs of stress overload – and what you can do about it.