Vim & Vigor - Summer 2017 - Community Healthcare - 21

a really big emotional component in
watching that decline."
Beyond the loss of the person's mind,
you might be grieving lost future experiences. That's normal, Hartrey says. Let
yourself go through that process.

Recognize it's
THE DISEASE
AT WORK.

In a class she teaches on dealing with
dementia-related behaviors, Hartrey
shows pictures of imaging scans of
two brains from autopsies: One is a
normal brain, the other from a person
with Alzheimer's.
"Every single time I show those
slides, people gasp," she says. "The
Alzheimer's brain looks like it's been
eaten away. There's so little brain left."
When a loved one's behavior is nonsensical to you, it can be frustrating.
But remember: "They're not doing
this on purpose," Hartrey says. "This
is not the same person. This is not the
same brain."

Seek to
ACCOMMODATE
BEHAVIORS.

People with dementia might wander off and not know where they are.
They might resist care, even becoming
volatile. They can become increasingly
agitated, paranoid or delusional.
You can't control their behaviors.
But you can adjust your own behavior
or change the physical environment.
For example, if your loved one insists
on sleeping on the floor, put a mattress
down. And stay calm, using a soothing
tone during stressful episodes, the FCA
advises. It's not easy, but it can help.

Look for HELP.

Caregiving for a loved one
with dementia is stressful.
When your loved one's dementia is
to a point where he or she might do

CANCER CAREGIVERS
SUPPORT GROUP
The Caregivers Support Group at the Cancer Resource Centre in Munster
provides caregivers an outlet to work through emotions and talk to others in
a similar situation.
"The cancer patient has a whole team to take care of them, but often the caregiver doesn't have anyone to lean on for support," says Susan Marcus, a licensed
clinical social worker and program facilitator. "Caregivers have their own emotional
responses to their loved ones' diagnoses and prognoses, and sometimes this is the
only time they have to themselves. This support group gives them an opportunity
to share with others who have been there. When you are sitting with a person and
they open up their hearts and talk about everything they are going through, you
understand the importance of being there and the need for this group."

something like turn on the stove and
forget about it, "they need constant
monitoring," Hartrey says. "So caregivers feel like they can't turn their eye for
a minute. It's hard to leave the house."
In addition to your own network
of friends and family, you can seek out
professional assistance.
One place to start, Hartrey says, is
your local Area Agency on Aging. "There
is one in every county," she says. "They
can direct you to local resources."
Eldercare.gov and the Alzheimer's
Association (alz.org) are great resources.
You can also research respite programs
that offer in-home care or adult day
care centers.
And, Hartrey adds, if your loved one
is a veteran, he or she might qualify for
services. Your local Veterans Affairs
office can offer guidance.

Don't NEGLECT
YOURSELF.

On an airplane, you're advised
to put on your own oxygen mask before
helping others. The same is true for
caregivers, Hartrey says. Taking care
of your own health is essential.
Caregivers often put off doctor
appointments, even surgery, she says.
And they don't always manage their

grief and stress, which contributes to
poor health.
"Caregivers get sick and die sooner
than non-caregivers, even five to
10 years after they stop caregiving,"
Hartrey says.
"Self-care," she adds, means different
things to different people.
"What I encourage my clients to do
is to schedule it," she says. "It doesn't
mean you need an hour a day. If you can
get that, wonderful. But it can mean five
minutes to yourself for a cup of tea and
some deep breathing." n

CALL

For the Caregiver
The Caregivers Support Group
helps spouses and other family
members cope when a loved
one is diagnosed with cancer.
The group meets 6 to 7:30 p.m.
the first Monday of each
month at the Cancer Resource
Centre, 926 Ridge Road,
Munster. Call 219-836-3349.

SUMME R 2017

http://www.Eldercare.gov http://www.alz.org

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