Wih all this rain and temperatures under 70 it is hard to think it is summer,but it is. Are you taking care of yourself, caregiver? If you've heard it once you've heard a thousand times, taking care of yourself is the best way to take care of your family member with Alzheimer's. A person with Alzheimer's is acutely aware of non-verbal communication such as body language, facial expression, tone of voice. You may say, "Good morning, breakfast is ready." but does your body language and tone say it is a good morning? Do you sigh a lot, keep your eyes downcast? Do you give eye conctact or are you moving away as you speak to him/her? I always know something is going awry in my marital relationship when my husband and I speak as we pass each other, sit less with each other, don't take the time to give a hug, a kiss hello or goodbye. That is when I suggest we talk and we do. It is usually tiredness or worry that is the culprit, but if let go, it can tear us apart and we wouldn't know how it happened. We've made an effort, with both of us in business, to make time for us. We eat every breakfast together, sit down and share our day after work stops, and have made Friday our 'date' night. We may do nothing special but it is time set aside for us to keep in connection.
So, catch the signs of burnout early. Do something for yourself so you can care for the one you love. Take time for healthy family members who can give you a laugh, a time to share a meal or a walk. It will refresh you so you can come back and give of yourself to your family member with Alzheier's