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.
Unfortunately, there is no way to predict how long the adjustment period will last. It can take days, weeks, or months. Much of the outcome depends upon the type and severity of dementia, if your loved one is prepared for the move, the environment (the facility), and the level of support that is given (by yourself, family, and staff) during and after the move.
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 visiting your aging parents for the holidays and are wondering what signs to look for if you are worried about dementia? Take this time to make sure they are ok and get help if needed.
Grieving is a process that takes time, and healing involves accepting the loss. Losing a person that we care about is never easy, but we live our lives knowing that the people that we love, including ourselves, will eventually die. We expect others to respect us and tell us when someone has died.
When we notice changes in our loved one’s behavior and increased forgetfulness it can feel alarming and overwhelming, even if we feel we have prepared ourselves for this moment. What do I do now? Who can I turn to in my area?