It's been a caregiving weekend for a loved one with Alzheimer's. As I write, I can hardly keep my eyes open since the caregiving is a 24-7 job. Caregiving includes these challenges:
- lack of sleep due to the erratic schedule of my loved one
- lack of rest due to the need for 24-7 safety oversight since falls and unsafe choices are a persistent reality
- the need to research many new behaviors and how to deal with those behaviors
- nursing jobs such as showering, bandaging, personal care, and more
- emotional toll of watching a loved one lose his capacity in so many areas
- reacting to a large number of delusions related to safety, personal needs, and other story lines
What's positive about this caregiving weekend is that I have a close-up opportunity to care for my loved one and recognize his needs. Soon he will likely move to a place where there is 24-7 support since it's impossible for any one person to meet his needs by themselves and stay healthy too. The lack of sleep is a challenge that is unsustainable.
Fortunately my loved one maintains a positive, kind attitude which is positive. I've heard stories of some whose dementia attacks parts of their brains which makes them angry and volatile, and in my situation, that's not the reality I'm dealing with.
Alzheimer's and demential in general are tough diseases that challenge our expectations and abilities as humans. I'm learning all I can about the disease, and doing what I can to be a loving, caring, capable caregiver. Onward.
