Care Givers Need Help, Too!

I've been blessed to not have anybody in my blood family
stricken with Alzheimers. I have, however, been witness to
many friends and extended family who are afflicted and I've
watched as the victim becomes more and more disoriented
while the survivors, the care givers, become more and more
stressed. And sometime the disease process is drawn out
for years taking an even greater toll on care givers with each
passing day, month, and year.

There is no solution I can offer to the problem and treatment
of Alzheimers short of making sure you have qualified and
compassionate professionals working with you and the
Alzheimers victim. You already know that, though, I'm sure.

The piece that's ignored, and the one that's potentially the
most costly to the care givers, is that of self care. In the
midst of making sure your loved one is being cared for -- as
you're dealing with the medical care they're receiving, while
you're running here and there looking after the needs of the
Alzheimers victim, while you attempt to balance the
demands of your life -- what's missing is the time you take to
care for yourself.

Managing the care of a loved one with Alzheimers alone is
asking for stress and strain over and above the call of duty.
Your not alone in this endeavor. Hundreds of thousands of
people are caring for Alzheimer sufferers, too. Being able
to share with these others won't take away the pain of the
crisis you're dealing with, BUT having a group of people
around you who understand can go a long way to lightening
your load and your mood.

You can find support groups through your local Alzheimers
care facilities, on line through forums, or you can start your
own local group. There are many in your area, I'm sure,
who know what you're going through and, like you, would
welcome the chance to meet, share, talk, laugh, and even
cry. Don't go it alone. Reach out. There will be someone
to grab it and walk with you.



This article courtesy of http://alzheimershandbook.com.
Copyright 2006. Laura A Hess. All rights reserved.
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