September is National Self-Care Awareness Month. As a caregiver of a loved one with dementia, you may push aside opportunities to focus on yourself, but that is exactly what you need to allow time for in order to recharge. You may be uncertain about how you can fit self-care into your already packed days. These ideas may help.
Amidst the selflessness and dedication, it is crucial for caregivers to prioritize their own well-being as well. One of the most important things for dementia caregivers is to get respite from caregiving. Learn how you can take advantage of respite for both you and your loved one with dementia.
On top of the physical exhaustion, caregiver stress (or stress from caregiving) can influence your mental health. Many caregivers have been known to develop or show worsening symptoms of anxiety, depression, irritability, insomnia, and other inflictions.
If you are caring for a person living with dementia at home, Mondays with Mimi is where you can have your questions answered. In her 20 years at St. John’s, Mimi DeVinney (our Dementia/Quality of Life Specialist) has heard dozens of questions about caring for people living with dementia. Go to the Ask Mimi page of St. John’s Online Dementia Resource Center every Monday, to see Mimi’s answers to submitted questions.
