Alzheimer’s: Taking Care of Parents & Kids
Becoming a caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is a job in itself. You are not only responsible for yourself, but also for the daily activities and well-being of a dependent adult. You may already be trying to juggle caregiving responsibilities and the time-consuming demands of a career. But what if you also have a role as a caregiver of kids? Wearing so many caregiving hats can be a struggle, even for the most organized among us. Often, caregivers find themselves sandwiched between the need to care for a parent afflicted with Alzheimer’s and the immediate needs of their child. Switching between these roles is never easy, but by doing some planning, life can become a little easier for both you and your family.
Ask for help
Caregiving requires patience, skills, and time. Taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s can overwhelm our abilities to meet their needs, especially when also caring for children. When any of these critical caregiving qualities fall short, you need assistance. Organizations such as in home care Phoenix AZ can provide you with dependable caregiver support, to help you better manage your time, responsibilities, and caregiving resources. A healthcare professional can also help educate you regarding the many nonintuitive facets of Alzheimer’s care.
Caring is a long-term commitment
Entering into the caregiving role means coming to terms with the many facets of Alzheimer’s Disease. Patients with Alzheimer’s can live upwards of 10 years after the diagnosis, and as the disease progresses, so does the caregiving time commitment. Becoming a caregiver means coming to terms with the fact that you are in this for the long haul. That means your relationship with your family will also inevitably be changed. Although time can be tight, be sure to set aside at least a small amount of time each week to reconnect with your family outside of your Alzheimer’s caregiver role. This will allow your kids and spouse the chance to have their voices heard.
Taking care of you
Not least of all, you need to care for your own well-being. Your role as a caregiver is weakened, for both your kids and for an Alzheimer’s patient, if you are physically or mentally diminished. Time management will become a critical part of your role as caregiver, allowing critical time for your own well-being. Delegate part of the caregiving responsibilities to a professional care provider, such as Phoenix Home Health Care. Having help will not only free up valuable time for yourself, but will also allow the Alzheimer’s patient a chance to physically and socially interact with a different care provider.
For more tips on caregiving management, visit us at MD Home Health, where you can learn more about Homecare Phoenix. Take care of yourself, stay educated, and find additional caregiving through the Phoenix home health care team!