December 18, 2011

tion bringing awareness

Issue No. 28

The Memory People Page

Whos taking care of the caregiver?
by Leeanne Chames

one person at a time

There are nearly 15 million Alzheimers and dementia caregivers providing 17 billion hours of unpaid care valued at $202 billion. Caregivers not only suffer emotionally but also physically. Because of the toll of caregiving on their own health, Alzheimers and dementia caregivers had $7.9 billion in additional health care costs in 2010. More than 60 percent of family caregivers report high levels of stress because of the prolonged duration of caregiving and 33 percent report symptoms of depression.

This is quoted from the Alzheimers Association 2011 Alzheimers Disease Facts and Figures Report. The numbers are staggering, but nothing drives this home more than finding yourself a caregiver to a loved one walking with Alzheimers disease or any form of dementia. There may be no other time in a persons life that they need family and friends more than when they are diagnosed with this disease and walk each day in an ever changing world. And the same can be said for their primary caregiver, who will, over the coming weeks, months and years, find themselves brought to new levels of exhaustion and loss as they walk this journey with their loved one. One of the most disturbing aspects of this disease can be the abandonment by family and friends after the diagnosis, which makes the challenge of taking care of the caregiver even more difficult. When youre battling exhaustion, mental and physical, and then add in all the other ways this disease can have an impact, it becomes vitally important that those around step up and bring some relief. And this involvement doesnt have to be a full time job. Things as simple as a meal brought in, a few hours sitting with their loved one so they can recharge with some free time, a helping hand to get things done in and around the home that the caregiver doesnt have the opportunity to get to these things are small but very significant ways to lessen the burden on someone caring for their loved one.

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December 18, 2011

Issue No. 28

If youre a caregiver who is walking this road alone with your loved one, it cant be stressed enough that you find ways to recharge and renew. We can only give to our loved ones from what we have. Memory People has become a lifeline for many walking this road who have no other means of support, either occasionally or on a day to day basis. Finding support, either in an online support group, or one offered locally by the Alzheimers Association or other organization is one of the most important things a caregiver can do. Another great thing that a caregiver can do is to call the Alzheimers Association. They are a treasure trove of resources and are always ready to answer questions. The Alzheimers Association will help with any kind of memory impairment, and can help find a support group near you, find respite care, schedule a visit with a Care Consultant, answer questions, and maybe most of all, give you reassurance that youre not alone. If you havent already, call them today. 1-800-272-3900.

Caregiver Corner
Carepartner's Bill of Rights I have the right: 1. To take care of myself. This is not an act of selfishness. It will give me the capability of taking better care of my loved one. 2. To seek help from others even though my loved one may object. I recognize the limits of my own endurance and strength. 3. To maintain facets of my own life that do not include the person I provide care for, just as if I would if he or she were healthy. I know I do everything I reasonably can for this person and I have the right to do some things for myself. 4. To get angry, be depressed and express other difficult feelings occasionally. 5. To reject any attempt by my loved one (either consciously or unconsciously) to manipulate me through guilt, anger or depression. 6. To receive consideration, affection, forgiveness and acceptance for what I do for my loved one as long as I offer these qualities in return. 7. To take pride in what I am accomplishing and to applaud the courage it has taken to meet the needs of my loved one. 8. To protect my individuality and my right to make a life for myself that will sustain me in the time when my loved one no longer needs my help full-time. 9. To expect and demand that as new strides are made in finding resources to aid physically and mentally impaired people in our country, similar strides will be made toward aiding and supporting caregivers. By Wendy Lustbader

December 18, 2011

Issue No. 28

The Recipe Box

Recipe For Friendship
~author unknown

This coming Monday, December 19th, Rick will be a guest on The Caregiver Hour Radio Show with Host Kim Linder and will join Dr. John Whyte, Chief Medical Expert at the Discovery Channel, to discuss Alzheimers Disease and its impact on Ricks life and the lives of his family. Rick will have the opportunity to share his story, our story. You wont want to miss this! Tune in at 11am, Eastern time. You can follow this link to listen live, or hear it in the archives anytime. Call in with a question or to support Rick! http://seniorholisticliving.c om/radio-show/listen-live/

Fold two hands together And express a dash of sorrow Marinate it overnight And work on it tomorrow Chop one grudge in tiny pieces Add several cups of love Dredge with a large sized smile Mix with the ingredients above Dissolve the hate within you By doing a good deed Cut in and help your friend If he should be in need Stir in laughter, love, and kindness From the heart it has to come Toss with genuine forgiveness And give your neighbor some The amount of people served Will depend on you It can serve the whole wide world If you really want it to

We want to welcome all our new members to Memory People! You have found a very special family that will be here for you through thick and thin. In Ricks words, we fight this fight together, not asking for a handout, but just a hand up. Welcome!
The Memory People Page is a publication of Memory People, an Alzheimers and Memory Impairment Support and Awareness group on Facebook. If you would like to start receiving this newsletter, please email Leeanne Chames at leeannechames@gmail.com and we will be happy to include you on our email list. If you or a loved one has been touched by a Memory Impairment, if you are an advocate, or if you just want to know more about these diseases, please join us at Memory People. Just type Memory People in your Facebook search bar and click on Join Group. bringing Awareness, one person at a time