Alzheimer's Disease: The Help You Need

Hello Dear Sisters! Last week we highlighted symptoms of burnout that caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients may experience. If you are the caregiver or know someone who is a caregiver and answered yes to experiencing some of those symptoms mentioned in last week’s article, it’s time to get help. But, we want to ensure that the urgency of the moment is coupled with our Savior’s encouragement- fear not, for I am with you and will help you. (Isaiah 41:10). Today we will share some wonderful resources to help recover your strength and stay healthy as you care for your loved one.

The most important thing you should know is that it is okay to need help. The moment you acknowledge your need for help, you are well on your way to receiving some much deserved relief. Jesus said to “Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door[a] will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7: 7 - 8, CSB).  Here we are encouraged to the wisdom of, not only acknowledging our need but, asking for help from the One who is sufficient to supply it.

Pray (ask, seek, knock) because of the very real need you are experiencing and of the perfectly sufficient help God is able and willing to supply you. This help includes that which comes through people God has specifically equipped to minister to your need, i.e. friends who have walked the path before in a God honoring way, pastors, counselors and medical professionals.  Taking these very practical steps to wellness will enable you to more effectively care for the one you love so much. We all need someone to help us sometimes. We were not created to bear all of life’s burdens on our own. Acknowledge, ask and receive.
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Tips for being a healthy Caregiver:

1. Prioritize your physical health. Schedule your annual visits and honor those appointments as faithfully as you have honored your commitments to your loved ones. Book them in advance and then ASK for assistance from your family members, a trusted person in your faith community or state and non profit support agencies so that you may honor your appointments.
2. Get moving! You are probably quite active, given your role as the primary caregiver. Get an activity tracker to see how as you care for your loved one, you may actually be making progress on your fitness goals. Try a simple workout routine you can do from home. Simple is best because you can remain consistent AND consistency is your friend. Try Walk at Home by Leslie Sansone free on YouTube.
3. Eat Well! You don’t have to rebuild the entire temple in one day. One choice at a time, you can reclaim your body for God’s glory and experience the joy of physical health He desires to be yours. Checkout our tips for making small and sustainable changes here: Make Healthy Substitutions.
4. Manage your stress. Give yourself a break and know that you are doing the best you can. Find a relaxation technique like breathing exercise, visualization and meditation. Checkout the guidance we provided in our May series on stress management: What’s the Deal with Stress? (the first of 4 publications in the month of May with resources to manage stress).
5. Share the care. Learn how here:

Need to connect with other caregivers? 

• Family Caregiver Alliance

1-800-445-8106 (toll-free)
info@caregiver.org
www.caregiver.org

• National Alliance for Caregiving
  

1-301-718-8444
info@caregiving.org
www.caregiving.org

Also consider iCare: “a new stress management skills training program for caregivers of individuals with Dementia and other memory-related illnesses (at all stages). There are short video examples of difficult behaviors and situations caregivers often experience. The iCare program contains concepts, strategies, practical tips, and techniques that you can apply in your own unique situation and everyday life.” Get started here: http://www.icarefamily.com/video_pages/video_0/video_0.htm.


Happy Temple Building!