Caregivers Feel the Strain In Tough Holiday Season
2 min read By Robert Preidt
HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The coronavirus pandemic can make the holidays even a lot more challenging for caregivers of loved types with Alzheimer’s condition and other forms of dementia, an qualified states.

“Even in the most effective of instances, holiday seasons can be a mixed bag for families who are caring for a loved a single with an age-related sickness that leads to bodily and mental adjustments. Target on loved ones togetherness and joy,” mentioned Mary Catherine Lundquist, system director of Treatment2Caregivers, a peer counseling helpline for caregivers of individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s illness.

The helpline is operated by Rutgers College Behavioral Wellness Care in New Jersey.

“Persons dealing with substantial sicknesses these as Alzheimer’s disease may be dealing with other feelings, this kind of as sadness, fear and even exhaustion. At times the finest gift we can give to every other is to be existing,” Lundquist advised in a Rutgers information release.

With journey frowned on simply because of the pandemic, it may not be possible to see your relations in individual. But you can still arrive at out. “Check out in with your elderly household customers, primarily those who are caregivers. Question them how they are performing and then truly listen. Be nonjudgmental and accept what they are sharing,” she proposed.

“Hear for what they really require, not for what you assume they want — and then offer you it,” Lundquist stated. “Dropping off groceries, fixing a damaged fence post, contacting a several instances a week to just chat could be the most effective items. Composing a letter telling them what you signify to them and how they have impacted your daily life is a fantastic reward they can examine once again and once again.”

Lundquist also available advice on helping folks who have a liked 1 in a nursing dwelling or who misplaced a liked one particular this calendar year.

“Simply call them to look at in, ship a handwritten observe, drop off flowers or send a textual content to say ‘thinking of you,’ which can assist ease loneliness and social isolation. Enable them know that just for the reason that their liked a person is not in the dwelling with them any more, they are not overlooked,” she claimed.

Even if you can’t see folks in person, connect with them in excess of the mobile phone, by textual content or through social media, Lundquist prompt.


Additional information and facts

The American Academy of Relatives Doctors features advice on caregiver overall health and wellness.


Source: Rutgers College, information release, Dec. 2, 2020


