Page 26 - Healthcare News 2023 Senior Planning Guide

Signs
Continued from page 42
decline or mood of the care recipient. This frustration can lead to caregiver stress.
If you are so overwhelmed by taking care of someone else that you have neglected your own physical, mental, and emotional well-being, it will not be long before you are experiencing caregiver burnout. When you are burned out, it is tough to do anything, let alone look after someone else.
5. Am I Neglecting Work
Responsibilities, My
Family, and Myself?
You might be struggling to maintain a sense of purpose in working so hard to provide care, which leads
to neglecting responsibilities, withdrawing socially from friends and family, and having much less energy than you once had.
Family caregivers often have to take
time off, either paid or unpaid, while some have to reduce their work hours. Others leave the workforce entirely
in order to provide full-time care for
a loved one. Additionally, caregivers don’t have as much time to take care of themselves, and they can often feel cut off from the outside world. Social isolation leads to higher levels of both caregiver stress and depression.
Are you feeling irritable or hopeless, struggling with emotional and
physical exhaustion, or getting sick more often? Do you have heightened anxiety or trouble making care decisions? If your loved one’s need for care is wearing you out, it may be time
to start considering your memory-care options.
6. Would the Structure
and Social Interaction at a
Memory-care Community
Benefit My Loved One?
Somewhere in the middle and
late stages of dementia, your loved one will no longer be able to drive, and communication with others
will become increasingly difficult. Your loved one may lose track of their thoughts, be unable to follow conversations, and/or have trouble understanding what others are trying
to communicate.
LET OUR FAMILY TAKE CARE OF YOURS.
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“Wandering, agitation, repetitive speech or actions, paranoia, and sleeplessness may pose many challenges for families and caregivers. However, it’s important to remember that these behaviors are often coping tactics
for a person with deteriorating brain function.”
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AUGUST 7, 2023
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Maybe it’s become too challenging to take your mom out to eat, shop, or exercise because her behavior
is unpredictable. Or perhaps your dad can no longer drive, so he rarely goes out and is restless and lonely.
Is dementia shrinking your loved one’s world? Memory-care programs are equipped to provide activities and stimulation — including trips and outings — that can keep your loved one engaged and active in a safe, homelike environment.
If you answered yes to any of these questions or if you have reached a point where you feel like you cannot fully meet the needs of
a loved one struggling with memory impairment, it is time to start visiting memory-care communities, which offer specialized environments where your loved one can not only live, but even thrive. Plus, knowing that your loved one has trained, 24-hour care can help relieve the caregiving burden and give your family peace of mind. BW