DCC Content Search: Care for Caregivers

Many caregivers are amazing, selfless people who would do anything and everything they can for their loved ones with dementia. However, providing care for a loved one can be exceptionally draining for caregivers in terms of time, emotions, and effort. Caregivers need support, too, and need to realize that they are not alone. Remember to always talk to your doctor, too, if you are feeling anxious or depressed - there IS help available.

Follow the links below to learn about caregiver stress and ways to find relief and support:

Given all of the stresses that a caregiver faces, it should be no surprise that a whole host of emotions well up, usually directed towards the situation or even the care recipient: frustration, grief, anger, embarrassment, guilt, and many more. While the links below will provide additional information on each of these emotions and how to individually address them, there are some general tips to dealing with the negative emotions that you face as a caregiver:

After you begin to express and understand the emotions and stresses that affect you while caregiving, be proactive and consistent in your efforts to manage the negatives and accentuate the positives:

A variety of simple, easy to learn techniques can help you relax from the physical and emotional responses to the stress of caregiving and other stresses in your life. Many techniques, from simple breathing exercises to visualization to meditation, have been shown to help and are described on the websites below. Choose one that works for you and that fits with your beliefs. Using one or more of these techniques on a regular basis can help not only sooth the effects of stressful events after they happen but also decrease your physical and emotional reactions to stressful situations as they are happening.

When a partner, parent, or another loved one is diagnosed with dementia, friends and family members may not understand what is happening to the person they knew or how this might change their relationship. It can be frustrating to have to constantly explain the “situation” to others in your family. However, by educating your friends and family about what to expect from your loved one and what you both need in terms of care and support, you are better equipping them to participate in care.