Caregivers Dealing with Frustration
Updated September 10, 2014.
No matter how much you love someone and want to help them, long-term caring is a complex and often frustrating business. Sometimes you get to near screaming point. This article begins to looks at general principles of the caregiver needing to cope with frustration.
Recognizing caregiver needs
To be a ?good? caregiver it is very important that we recognize our own needs and the things that make life good.
A healthy happy caregiver whose frustration levels are minimized is better able to cope, even when things really are beyond a joke.
Caregiver isolation
Isolation is common feature of caring. As the behavior and/or mood of a person with Alzheimer?s becomes unpredictable it sometimes just seems easier to avoid going out. You must try beating isolation by getting out. To do this you'll need help.
Getting out will help promote happiness, better sleep patterns and health. You want to maintain the dignity of your loved one but just because they have Alzheimer?s does not mean they, or you, cease to be part of society. Admittedly, society has a way to go in coming to terms with that fact, but your actions will, directly or indirectly, help to shape more awareness.
Alzheimer's, respite Care and caregiver's
Respite Care from friends, family, voluntary organisations, professional caregivers in the community, or care-homes, can provide you with valuable time for yourself. Maintaining your individualism through work or leisure can make such a difference to the care you provide.
It lessens your frustration and you will find you are more able to cope. Keep in mind that if you are the main carer you should make contingency plans in case one day you need some form of treatment. The more you get to know what's available to you the better and more focused your options will be.
Caregivers maximise your inner life
Maximising your inner life, especially if your time out is limited, becomes very important for your physical and mental well-being. Maintaining or finding new hobbies, maintaining your religious life, meditation or relaxation to find harmony and peace is something we can often overlook when life is busy. Caring for someone can give you a new way at looking at life. For some people it can change their life for the better.
Minimizing Financial Frustrations
Make sure you know how you can maximize your personal finances to help you care for a person with Alzheimer?s disease. Research the tax incentives and benefits and health insurance options (43 million Americans do not have health insurance). State help, social security and disability payments are available to you. Get help by contacting your local state offices, voluntary advice agencies or Alzheimer?s group, any of which will give help.
Caregivers physical well being
Sort out the things you have control over. A good balanced diet and exercise will energize you and keep you fit. Get enough sleep whenever possible, and maintain a warm, safe and comfortable environment for yourself and the person you care for with Alzheimer's.
Emotional supportand caregivers
Recognizing your limits will help you take steps to minimise frustration. You can employ some simple strategies such as thought-stopping for repeated negative ideation (thoughts), sleep pattern strategies and relaxation techniques.
Caregivers coping with guilt
Remember, you can only do so much and you can only do your best. It may be that you are prescribed medication. Short term, courses of medication can sometimes help. The problem is you may come to rely on pills to deal with frustration. If you find yourself in this situation please consider counseling, therapy, or support groups that can offer longer term and probably more effective practical and emotional support.
Web Support
You're reading this so you're using the internet. Why not consider using our forum to talk over your problems and meet other people in similar situations?
No matter how much you love someone and want to help them, long-term caring is a complex and often frustrating business. Sometimes you get to near screaming point. This article begins to looks at general principles of the caregiver needing to cope with frustration.
Recognizing caregiver needs
To be a ?good? caregiver it is very important that we recognize our own needs and the things that make life good.
A healthy happy caregiver whose frustration levels are minimized is better able to cope, even when things really are beyond a joke.
Caregiver isolation
Isolation is common feature of caring. As the behavior and/or mood of a person with Alzheimer?s becomes unpredictable it sometimes just seems easier to avoid going out. You must try beating isolation by getting out. To do this you'll need help.
Getting out will help promote happiness, better sleep patterns and health. You want to maintain the dignity of your loved one but just because they have Alzheimer?s does not mean they, or you, cease to be part of society. Admittedly, society has a way to go in coming to terms with that fact, but your actions will, directly or indirectly, help to shape more awareness.
Alzheimer's, respite Care and caregiver's
Respite Care from friends, family, voluntary organisations, professional caregivers in the community, or care-homes, can provide you with valuable time for yourself. Maintaining your individualism through work or leisure can make such a difference to the care you provide.
It lessens your frustration and you will find you are more able to cope. Keep in mind that if you are the main carer you should make contingency plans in case one day you need some form of treatment. The more you get to know what's available to you the better and more focused your options will be.
Caregivers maximise your inner life
Maximising your inner life, especially if your time out is limited, becomes very important for your physical and mental well-being. Maintaining or finding new hobbies, maintaining your religious life, meditation or relaxation to find harmony and peace is something we can often overlook when life is busy. Caring for someone can give you a new way at looking at life. For some people it can change their life for the better.
Minimizing Financial Frustrations
Make sure you know how you can maximize your personal finances to help you care for a person with Alzheimer?s disease. Research the tax incentives and benefits and health insurance options (43 million Americans do not have health insurance). State help, social security and disability payments are available to you. Get help by contacting your local state offices, voluntary advice agencies or Alzheimer?s group, any of which will give help.
Caregivers physical well being
Sort out the things you have control over. A good balanced diet and exercise will energize you and keep you fit. Get enough sleep whenever possible, and maintain a warm, safe and comfortable environment for yourself and the person you care for with Alzheimer's.
Emotional supportand caregivers
Recognizing your limits will help you take steps to minimise frustration. You can employ some simple strategies such as thought-stopping for repeated negative ideation (thoughts), sleep pattern strategies and relaxation techniques.
Caregivers coping with guilt
Remember, you can only do so much and you can only do your best. It may be that you are prescribed medication. Short term, courses of medication can sometimes help. The problem is you may come to rely on pills to deal with frustration. If you find yourself in this situation please consider counseling, therapy, or support groups that can offer longer term and probably more effective practical and emotional support.
Web Support
You're reading this so you're using the internet. Why not consider using our forum to talk over your problems and meet other people in similar situations?