self care,

  • 5 Things I've learned From Dementia #4

    Painting by Rafe Schiwwmer courtesy of The Art of Alzheimers

    4) Take care of yourself. Your life may depend on it!

    Dementia in later stages can be all consuming. It may involve repetitive questioning or progress to a loss of executive function entirely. Caregivers cope with heavy demands for attention and sometimes ongoing resistance or aggressive behavior.  Nitty gritty hygiene needs and unpredictable behavior can be a daily reality. For some round the clock monitoring is necessary. Dementia can last 7 years or more and there are no drugs that cure and few that slow or manage the condition. This presents caregivers with a challenge: where is the time to take care of myself?