Why Is Caregiving for a Loved One with Alzheimer's Disease Feeling So Different?

By Andy Niska | December 22, 2017 |

You might have noticed that caregiving feels different now that your aging adult has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. You’re not imagining things. Caregiving really can change depending on what is going on with your aging family member.

Home Care in Spokane Valley WA: Caring for a Senior with Alzheimer’s

You’re Feeling Hopeless about the Situation.

Alzheimer’s disease can feel hopeless to you and to other family members. It can also feel that way to your aging adult. You can’t change anything that’s happening and the disease your elderly family member is facing will continue to change how her brain works. Every day may feel different and you may notice new signs and symptoms.

You Might Be Feeling Anticipatory Grief.

A big part of caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease is knowing from early on that there is going to be so much loss in the near future. Your aging family member is going to lose so much, but so are you and other family members. This is called anticipatory grief because you’re grieving already, even if all of those changes haven’t happened yet.

Everything Really Is Changing.

It’s not just you. Everything really is changing and it may be changing much more quickly than you even realize. Every day your senior’s brain chemistry is slightly different and there are new challenges for her and for you as her caregiver. Your senior is going to have good days and bad days, so you’re going to have to learn how to roll with them.

You Need More Time for You.

Caregiving is going to take more and more of a toll on you, so you’re going to need more time to recover and to simply exist. Hiring home care providers lets you have people with your senior who understand what she needs so that you can do what you need to do for yourself. If you are feeling guilty for this need, that’s going to sap more energy than it helps you to save.

If you’re still having a difficult time pinpointing why caregiving feels so different to you now, consider taking the time to start journaling. This can help you to get to the root of what you’re feeling.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Spokane Valley, WA, please contact the friendly staff at Love at Home Senior Care, today. Call (509) 204-4088

Author
Recent Posts

Andy Niska

Owner at Love In Home Senior Care

Andy has over 20+ years experience in the medical community and has a true compassion for seniors. With a degree in Health Care Administration, he developed a background in a variety of health care services that only comes from first hand experience. While working as a manager of a large clinic and as an account executive for medical suppliers. Andy has built valuable relationships with the medical community.

His role in Love In Home Senior Care is to educate people on what care choice is the best fit for the senior and their family while attempting to make this decision as stress-free as possible for everyone involved.

This decision making process should be smooth and stress free for everyone, including all family members and their loved ones. Having access to people with experience (like the team at Love In Home Senior Care) to assist you along the way can help this process. With an extensive background in health care, Andy has the experience needed to guide and direct your loved one to the choice that is the best fit.