Page 13 - Scene Magazine September 2021 46-09

For Your Health
BY SHERII SHERBAN
The role of the family caregiver never ends. They are
Respite can play a significant role
in caregiver renewal. Programs exist
in our community that can help with planned respite opportunities. Reach out to CareWell Services SW, Calhoun County Senior Services, or a home care agency near you for more assistance. However, when an unplanned event occurs, the emergency respite program through Miles for Memories can offer assistance.
constantly on call or providing care. And many times, it’s the downtime that caregivers rely on to accomplish the endless list of tasks that seem to accumulate.
The need to focus on self-care is critical and movement is something you can even do with your loved one. Take a walk; enjoy yoga in the living room; accentuate movement while doing daily tasks; just move because movement has been shown to impact the trajectory of dementia. If you need motivation, consider joining the Miles for Memories Marathon that will kick off at the Community Stroll on Sep- tember 25. The Marathon encourages you to walk 26 miles in two months; that’s about a 1⁄2 mile per day, to impact your health in a positive way. Just $26 gives you daily encouragement and
a scavenger hunt for fun. Visit miles- formemories.org or call (269) 979- 1412, ext. 302, for more.
While it is challenging to do so, the caregiver should put their per- sonal health on the top of the list.
It seems contrary to what a caregiv- er would do since their focus is on the needs of their loved one. But, here’s the reality... if you as the caregiver be- come ill because you are ignoring your medical and physical health needs, then who will take care of your loved one? It won’t be you.
No matter who ends up with what roles, communication keeps frustration, exhaustion, and distrust from creeping in at a time when everyone is needed.
I am realistically inviting you to categorize needs: yours, your family’s, and your care receiver’s. All needs must be added into the list. And then tasks need to be divided up. The tasks that need to be considered include any- thing it takes to run a household as well as to meet personal, physical, spiritual, and mental care needs.
Additional concerns that relate to the loved one living with dementia
are loss of memory and or abilities overtime, which not only adds a layer of frustration, but also a new sense of loss as it feels like your loved one may be leaving you long before they should. A support group may be beneficial for you. See a list of area support groups
in the September Senior Times on page 21. Visit scenepub.com and click on
Begin to focus on you... because you’re care receiver is worth it!
The needs of the caregivers for those living with some form of dementia are many and varied and of- ten go unnoticed.
Dad Has Dementia – I Need Help
It’s challenging whether you’re
on your own or you have several siblings, friends, a spouse, and even your own adult children that are able to help. Even siblings who do not need to live in town can help with caring for an aging loved one. They can manage the schedule, pay the bills, and take a significant role in care decisions. They can also be the much-needed sounding board when new challenges arise as distance sometimes gives new perspective. Expecting one person to do it all well is just not logical. Start creating task lists based on the skill sets of those that will be assisting with the care, or are able to manage to have them done by another.
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