Alzheimer's Arkansas
A Community for Caregivers Since 1984
By Carol Bradley Bursack
As people age, they tend to sleep more lightly and often awaken during the night from achy joints or the need to go to the bathroom. Many people compensate for this lost sleep by catching a restorative nap during the day. That’s normal.
Continue ReadingA note from a caregiver after receiving the Phyllis Watkins Family Assistance Program Grant in 2016:
” I really thought this grant was a waste of my time! Mom was so unwilling to have anyone else in the house, to the point where I could not even have dinner with family or friends at the house because she would become so upset we would have to go to the ER. I just felt like I was at the absolute end of my rope and then Mom’s caseworker suggested a grant that might help me take a break. At first, I rolled my eyes and took the application home to be recycled. But after I got home, I thought what could it hurt. I am exhausted, and I knew my daughter was planning my grand baby’s first birthday. I wanted so badly to go and attend the birthday party and just get a chance to visit with family. After I mailed the application, I had so much guilt about leaving mom even for the day. But then I got a letter back stating my grant money had been approved for respite, I just started crying. I hired a close family friend who Mom knew from church and felt comfortable with, I left so many notes and instructions I am sure the caregiver thought I was crazy. Then I drove to my daughter’s house, with so many nerves, I almost turned around twice!! But I made it to my daughter’s house well before the party started and the reaction I got from my flustered, overwhelmed daughter was one I will never forget. It was just like when she was a little girl on Christmas morning, except now I was her Christmas present. While we were putting up party decorations and pulling out food for the party, we talked and laughed like we hadn’t lost a moment of time. Those few hours were the best with my sweet girl and it gave me a new appreciation for my own mom. My daughter and I talked about getting some additional help in for me and we agreed to meet every week to talk and make sure we don’t lose our connection. I would just like to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for providing this grant for caregivers. I am so grateful for organizations like Alzheimer’s Arkansas and the Phyllis Watkins Family Assistance Program grant. Many blessings, Linda”
All of your gifts given to Alzheimer’s Arkansas stay in Arkansas to assist caregivers and their friends and families with our free programs and services. Our free programs include nine Hope for the Future Caregiver Workshops throughout the state, 57 caregiver support groups, and family counseling. On #givingtuesday your gifts will go directly towards helping more caregivers in Arkansas with the Phyllis Watkins Family Assistance Program Grant. Alzheimer’s Arkansas also provides a 24/7 caregiver support line: 800-689-6090.
#GivingTuesday is a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, November 28, 2017, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give. It’s a simple idea: just find a way for your family, your community, your company, or your organization to come together to give something more. Then tell everyone you can about how you are giving. Join Us and be a part of a global celebration of a new tradition of generosity.
Give to Arkansas Caregivers on November 28th!!
If you are interested in the Phyllis Watkins Family Assistance Program grant, click here.
Mary pushed her grocery cart through the store reciting the items needed for the casserole. She nodded and smiled at a silver headed man who greeted her with a cheerful “Good morning.” Busily cruising the aisles trying to remember the list she’d left on the table, and she passed him again. He smiled and she asked if she could help him find something. “No,” he replied, he was still trying to decide. Finally, content she had done the best she could, she headed for the check-out aisle. And here he was again; his cart remained empty. Concerned, she touched his arm and asked if she could help him. He lowered his head and said, “Mam, this is the only place where people will talk to me.” A conversation followed that revealed the death of his wife following a battle with cancer, and the loneliness that consumed him.
Continue ReadingWE can solve our caregiver’s problems.
WE cannot cure Alzheimer’s disease, prevent or slow Alzheimer’s disease down.
But WE can and WE do solve our caregiver’s problems.
HOW?
A Caregiver needs to take a break – our grant money makes that break possible.
A Caregiver needs to keep their loved ones home as long as possible – our grant money provides home improvements like wheelchair ramps, bathroom stalls and much more.
A Caregiver is lonely and misses her children, grandchildren – our grant money reimburses for mileage costs.
A Caregiver may go hungry because their retirement money is being spent on care for their loved one – our grant money may provide food, clothing and sometimes shelter.
It’s a CALL TO ACTION!
Someone, somewhere – is struggling. Really struggling – to stay alive in a seemingly never-ending journey through the maze of dementia. That someone may be your neighbor, your church pew buddy, your hairstylist. One out of ten people you encounter DAILY are either struggling with dementia themselves or caring for someone with dementia. ONE OUT OF TEN. How many people do you come across with on a daily basis?
HOW CAN ONE PERSON HELP?
Give your time, your talent, your treasure. One person can make a difference. Let you be the one person today.
Blessings,
Elise Siegler
President
Alzheimer’s Arkansas
24/7 Caregiver Line: 800-689-6090
Start making your list of those people you know you can count on to pitch in and support your respite program this fall. Let them in on your plan and see what they will commit to doing, it can be anything from cooking dinner one day a week to watching your loved one while you go to the park. You’ll be surprised at how little favors add up and how willing people are to help once you ask.
Remember, respite does not have to be found outside of the home or take the entire day. Having someone watch your loved one for a few hours while you luxuriate in a long hot bubble bath counts, too.
Accept the help others offer. Suggest specific things they can do for you and your loved one. This is rule #1 for a reason. No one is a Super Hero. Don’t feel like you’re the only one that can take dad to the doctor or your wife to her physical therapist. REACH OUT and ask another family member — or close family friend — to assist you occasionally so you have time to yourself. Trust in their willingness to help. Many times they do not know how to reach out and help unless you are able to communicate your needs.
Ask for and accept favors such as; a friend staying with your loved one while you are able to get out of the house for a while, a dinner being cooked for you and your loved one once a week, an offer to go to the supermarket or drugstore in your place. Respite can be achieved on a daily basis with the smallest of kindnesses.
Know your limits! If you wear yourself out caring for your loved one, who will step in to care for the both of you? Remember, caring for yourself is not selfish, it’s the greatest gift you can give your loved one.
Reposted from Gary Barg, Editor-in-Chief of Today’s Caregiver Magazine