Stress Relief

Introduction
10 symptoms of caregiver stress
10 ways to be a healthy caregiver

Introduction

Taking care of yourself is one of the most important ways to be a healthy caregiver. Ask yourself ... are you so overwhelmed by taking care of your family member that you've neglected your own physical, mental and emotional well-being?

If you find yourself without the time to take care of your own needs, you may be putting yourself and your health at risk.

Do you visit your physician regularly?
Be aware of what your body is telling you. Your exhaustion, stress, sleeplessness and changes in appetite or behavior should be taken seriously. Ignoring these symptoms can cause your physical and mental health to decline.

Do you accept assistance from others?
You can't do everything. Attempting to handle it all yourself will only lead to burnout, depression and resentment toward the person in your care.

Do you talk to others about your feelings?
You may think that no one understands what you are going through. Holding in your feelings, however, will only make you feel isolated and emotionally neglected.

10 symptoms of caregiver stress

1. Denial about the disease and its effect on the person who's been diagnosed
   I know Mom is going to be better.
2. Anger at the person with Alzheimer's or others, anger that no cure exists and anger that people don't understand what's going on
   If he asks me that question one more time, I'll scream!
3. Social withdrawal from friends and activities that once brought pleasure
   I don't care about getting together with the neighbors anymore.
4. Anxiety about facing another day and what the future holds
   What happens when he needs more care than I can provide?
5. Depression that begins to break your spirit and affects your ability to cope
   I don't care anymore.
6. Exhaustion that makes it nearly impossible to complete necessary daily tasks
   I'm too tired for this.
7. Sleeplessness caused by a never-ending list of concerns
   What if she wanders out of the house or falls and hurts herself?
8. Irritability that leads to moodiness and triggers negative responses and reactions
   Leave me alone!
9. Lack of concentration that makes it difficult to perform familiar tasks
   I was so busy, I forgot we had an appointment.
10. Health problems that begin to take their toll, both mentally and physically
    I can't remember the last time I felt good.

10 ways to be a healthy caregiver

1. Get a diagnosis as early as possible.
   Symptoms of Alzheimer's may appear gradually. It can be easy to explain away unusual behavior when your family member seems physically healthy. Instead, consult a physician when you see signs of the disease.
2. Know what resources are available.
   Get in touch with the Alzheimer's care resources in your community. Adult day care, in-home assistance, visiting nurses and Meals on Wheels are just some of the services that can help. Start with your local Alzheimer's Association chapter.
3. Become an educated caregiver.
   As the disease progresses, new caregiving skills are necessary. The Alzheimer's Association can help you better understand and cope with the behaviors and personality changes that often accompany Alzheimer's.
4. Get help.
   Doing everything by yourself will leave you exhausted. Seek the support of family, friends and community resources. If you're afraid to ask for help, have someone advocate for you. Alzheimer's Association support group meetings, helplines and our online community are good sources of comfort and reassurance. If stress becomes overwhelming, seek professional help.
5. Take care of yourself.
   Watch your diet, exercise and get plenty of rest. Make time for shopping, a movie or an uninterrupted visit with a friend by taking advantage of community services like adult day care or in-home services. To learn more about the respite care services in your area, contact your local Alzheimer's Association chapter.
6. Manage your level of stress.
   Stress can cause physical problems (blurred vision, stomach irritation, high blood pressure) and changes in behavior (irritability, lack of concentration, loss of appetite). Note your symptoms. Use relaxation techniques that work for you, and consult a doctor.
7. Accept changes as they occur.
   People with Alzheimer's change and so do their needs. They often require care beyond what you can provide on your own. A thorough investigation of care options should make transitions easier; so will the support and assistance of those around you.
8. Do legal and financial planning.
   Plan ahead. Consult an attorney to discuss legal and financial issues, including durable power of attorney; living wills and trusts; future medical care; housing; and long-term care insurance. If possible and appropriate, involve the person with Alzheimer's and other family members.
9. Be realistic.
   Know that the care you provide does make a difference. Also know that, until a cure is found, the progression of Alzheimer's disease is inevitable. Many of the behaviors that occur are beyond your control and the control of the person with Alzheimer's. Give yourself permission to grieve your losses, but also focus on the positive moments as they arise and enjoy your good memories.
10. Give yourself credit, not guilt.
    At times, you may lose patience and find yourself unable to provide all the care the way you'd like. Remember, you're doing the best you can. Don't feel guilty because you can't do more. Your elder needs you, and you are there – that should make you feel proud.

Next: If You Have Alzheimer's

簡介
照護者壓力的 10 個症狀
成為健康照護者的 10 種方式

簡介

照顧好自己是成為健康照護者的最重要方式之一。問自己 ... 您是否因照顧家人卻忽視了自己的身體，精神和情感健康，從而將自己拖垮？

如果您發現您沒有時間照顧自己的需求，您的健康可能會受到威脅。

您是否經常看醫生？
瞭解您身體向您發出的訊號。您應嚴肅對待自己的疲憊，壓力，失眠和食欲或行為的變化。忽視這些症狀會導致您的身體和精神健康下滑。

您是否接受他人的協助？
您不能什麼事情都做。嘗試全靠自己來處理只會使您精力耗盡，抑鬱以及怨恨您正在照顧的人。

您是否告訴別人您的感受？
您可能認為沒有人會理解您正在經歷的事情。但壓抑您的情感只會使您感到孤獨和在感情上受到忽視。

照護者壓力的 10 個症狀

1. 否認該疾病及其對已被診斷出患有該疾病的人的影響
   我知道媽媽會好起來的。
2. 對阿滋海默症患者或別人發火，生氣無法治癒，生氣人們不瞭解將發生的事情
   如果他再問我一遍這個問題，我會尖叫！
3. 退出曾帶來歡樂的社群活動
   我不再關心與鄰居的相處。
4. 對於面對新的一天以及未來會怎樣感到焦慮
   當他需要的護理超出我力所能及的範圍時會怎樣？
5. 抑鬱開始摧殘您的精神以及影響您應對的能力
   我完全在乎了。
6. 疲憊感使得幾乎無法完成必要的日常任務
   這讓我太累了。
7. 無休止的問題導致失眠
   如果她在外面走失或者跌倒並傷了自己怎麼辦？
8. 易怒，這導致喜怒無常並觸發消極反應
   別管我！
9. 注意力不集中，這使自己難以執行熟悉的任務
   我太忙了，我忘了我們還有個約會。
10. 在精神和身體上開始出現健康問題
    我記不起上次感覺狀態良好是什麼時候了。

成為健康照護者的 10 種方式

1. 盡可能早地進行診斷。
   阿滋海默症的症狀可能會逐漸顯現。當您的家人看似身體健康時，異常的行為很容易被解釋過去。當您發現該疾病的徵兆時，您應諮詢醫生。
2. 瞭解可獲得哪些資源。
   聯絡您社群中的阿滋海默症護理資源。成年人日間護理，居家協助，上門服務護士和上門送餐服務僅僅是能夠提供的服務的一部分。從您當地的 Alzheimer's Association 阿滋海默症協會分會。
3. 成為受過訓練的照護者。
   隨著該疾病的發展，需要獲得新的照護技能。Alzheimer's Association 可協助您更好地瞭解和應對通常伴隨阿滋海默症的行為和個性變化。
4. 獲得協助。
   什麼事都親自做會使您精疲力盡。尋求家人，朋友和社群資源的支援。如果您害怕請求協助，則讓別人替您請求。Alzheimer's Association 支援小組會議，協助熱線和線上社群將提供令您舒適和放心的出色服務。如果壓力變得無法承受，則尋求專業人員的協助。
5. 照顧自己。
   注意您的飲食，進行鍛煉，以及獲得充分休息。透過利用成年人日間護理或居家服務等社群服務，抽空去購物，看電影，或者不受打擾地與朋友聊天。如欲瞭解有關您地區暫息護理服務的更多資訊，請聯絡您當地的 Alzheimer's Association 分會。
6. 控制您的壓力水準。
   壓力會導致身體問題（視力模糊，胃刺激，高血壓）和行為變化（易怒，注意力不集中，食欲不振）。注意您的症狀。使用對您有效的放鬆方法並諮詢醫生。
7. 當出現變化時接受它們。
   阿滋海默症患者會發生變化，因此他們的需求也會發生變化。他們經常需要超出您力所能及範圍的護理。徹底調查護理選擇應會使過渡變得更加輕鬆；因此您周圍人的支援和協助也會使過渡更加輕鬆。
8. 進行法律和財務規劃。
   提前計劃。諮詢律師，討論法律與財務問題，包括永久授權書；生前遺囑與信託；未來醫療護理；房屋；長期護理保險。在可能且適當時，讓阿滋海默症患者和其他家庭成員參與。
9. 現實。
   知道您提供的護理確實具有重要意義。還要知道，在發現治癒方法前，阿滋海默症的發展是不可逆轉的。出現的許多行為超出了您和阿滋海默症患者的控制。允許自己為您失去的東西感到難過，但在積極的時刻出現時予以重視，並懷念您的美好回憶。
10. 相信自己，而不是內疚。
    有時，您可能會失去耐心，並且發現自己無法按照您喜歡的方式提供所有護理。記住，您正在盡力而為。請勿因自己無法做得更多而感到內疚。您的年長者需要您，而您就在他們身邊 – 這應使您感到自豪。

下一頁：如果您患有阿滋海默症