As of July 2024, over 55 million people across the world have been diagnosed with a form of dementia. Dementia can impact several areas of life for those with this diagnosis and their loved ones. It may lead to drastic changes in behavior, affect how often these individuals socialize, lead to trouble with finances, and take a toll on mental and physical health. Grief, stress, and worry are among a few of the prominent feelings that individuals may encounter throughout this adjustment process. While it is never a straightforward process, having a toolbox of coping strategies can help ease the continual coping journey.
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
Gather Information
When first learning about a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s in a loved one it is essential to equip ourselves with a proper understanding of this diagnosis and how it might impact and change one’s current way of life. As of 2024, there are several resources available that provide information about this neurological condition. While this information gathering process might feel overwhelming, it’s important to have resources available to refer back to throughout this experience to aid in emotional coping.
Informational Resources
- Alzheimer’s Association:
Access a wide range of resources, including educational materials, support groups, and a 24/7 helpline for caregivers.
Visit Alzheimer’s Association
- Alzheimers.gov:
This government website provides reliable information for caregivers, including tips on daily care, home safety, and more.
- HelpGuide.org:
A practical guide to Alzheimer’s and dementia care, offering advice on managing the challenges of caregiving.
Visit HelpGuide.org
- Eldercare Locator:
A service that helps connect caregivers with local services and support in their area, such as respite care and long-term care options.
Visit Eldercare Locator
Emotional Coping Strategies
- Acknowledge your feelings
It is normal to want to complain and have a slightly pessimistic attitude about this experience. Focus on relieving yourself of the guilt that might come with expressing dissatisfaction in regards to your loved one. Find someone who you trust to voice these opinions too. As your loved one’s symptoms worsen, it is valuable to remind yourself that this process of grieving is continual.
- Give yourself permission to be stagnant in your feelings
Jumping straight back into your day-to-day routine can lead to emotional exhaustion. If you are taking on a role as a caregiver, you must better help yourself to better help your loved one. Remind yourself that intense emotions you might feel in the moment are not permanent. Be sure to give yourself time, space and energy to process and cope with the current situation.
- Focus on your support system
During this intensely emotional period, it is of utmost importance to surround yourself with others who will be there to boost you up. Looking to family members who may also be struggling with this experience can be beneficial, as you may be able to find comfort in a shared experience. Family members and support groups can all serve as forms of consolation and be beneficial to your journey.
Maintaining your Relationship with your Loved One
Photo credit: PIKSEL
- Distinguish the disease from the person
Inevitably one will notice shifts in their loved one’s personality. Therefore you must comprehend that the relationship will also change. This change will be difficult, but – through acceptance – it is possible to redefine and continue forth in this relationship.
- Focus on what has stayed similar within the relationship
Although this individual may not be able to participate in the exact same activities as before, this does not mean they are essentially different. For example, if you and your loved one enjoyed cooking together, finding a task within the cooking that they could partake in can function to reinforce this spark that connects the relationship. Additionally these tasks can provide an ease of intense emotions for all individuals within the relationship.
- Adjust your communication methods
Many individuals with Alzheimer’s can experience issues with communication. They can have difficulty speaking or remembering particular words, which can bring up feelings of frustration. It’s important to remember that these difficulties stem from the disease, not the person. In order to ease communication:
- Speak clearly and calmly
- Express reassurance that you are actively listening and empathy for the frustrations your loved one may be experiencing
- Create spaces of security and comfort through familiar objects
- Foster two-way dialogue for as long as possible
Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways
It’s necessary to acknowledge that every individual’s experience in coping with a loved one who has dementia will be different. While many of the coping methods mentioned above can ease the experience, not everything will be relevant in your own experience. Joining a support group and/or seeking your own individual psychotherapy can allow for reflection on what works and what negatively impacts your journey. One can best navigate through this experience through gaining an increased understanding of dementia, developing and utilizing coping skills, and by maintaining a meaningful relationship with loved ones.
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This blog was written by Corinna Hall – Summer Intern with California Women’s Therapy.
References:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667321522000919
https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/features/maintain-relationship-loved-one-alzheimers
https://www.alzheimers.gov/life-with-dementia/tips-caregivers