Taking care of yourself
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$29.90 Risk-free
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As a caregiver of an Alzheimer's Disease patient you need to have energy, stamina and flexibility. Regular exercise can help you achieve these goals, so that you can take care of your loved one much better and look after your health as well.
Improves mood : Exercise release endorphin hormone which helps in mood elevation.
Boosts self confidence: It provides feelings of accomplishment and boosts self esteem.
Improves strength and stamina.
Improves resistance to cold, by boosting the immune system.
Gives sound sleep and minimize insomnia.
Moderate exercise helps prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis and some cancers.
WHAT EXERCISE YOU CAN PERFORM
Exercise for a short time span, i.e. 5 minutes at intervals. This will be less strenuous instead of a 30 minute workout at a time.
Exercise with your loved one. This will help you look after hime as well as benefit him the similar way.
Take the stairs instead of a lift. This way you are increasing your physical activity.
Stretch or walk around, during TV commercial breaks.
Make the most of phone time. Pace across the room while talking.
You need not join a gym or buy expensive instruments for workouts. Just walk more briskly, stretch, bend and lift a little more during office work, housework and cooking. Start slowly and then suitably increase the time span of exercise.
You should be able to carry on a conversation while exercising. If you become breathless, you're overdoing it.
KEEP STRESS AT BAY
Taking care of a loved one with Alzheimers Disease is very stressful. Yet, you need to take care of yourself too, to cope up with caregiving demands.
Keep in touch with friends and relatives. They might offer useful suggestions, if not physical help. Encourage other members of the family to help out.
Care giving for an Alzheimer's disease patient is a 24-hour job. You deserve time off. Take it. Time off allows you to nurture other relationships. Spouses, children, friends need you and you need them too.
If the person with AD is with you, you may not be able to concentrate on matters that deserve your undivided attention. So try to spend some time away from him or have him sent to another caregiver's house for a while.
If you love cooking, gardening, cleaning house, continue doing it. Get engaged in hobbies as and when it is possible.
Consider delivery services. Many grocery stores and restaurants offer delivery services that will save your time so you can spare more time to look after your loved one.
Religious or social organisations like the Lions Club may be willing to help you out from time to time, by spending a day with your loved one.
Adult day care centres can clearly benefit people with AD. Just as you need time away from your loved one, people with AD too need time away from their caregivers. They often enjoy the company of the people of their same age group. They have fun, make friends and return home more relaxed.
Some nursing homes allow short stays. Check it out, so that you can go out on a tour, a picnic or attend a family get-together.
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$29.90 Risk-free
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