[Todays offering is simply titled “Caregivers song” and can be found at https://youtube/watch?v=TnRZhaBhua4; I want to thank Joseph Dziobek, Peter McDonough and Kevin H. Short for writing such a meaningful song] Caregiving is a quite difficult proposition as many with MSA patients have learned. The need to provide increasing amounts of care, more sophisticated kinds of care and for increasing periods of time begins to to take its toll on caregivers. Caregivers then must look for support systems or programs that can provide training, advice, and opportunities to improve physical and mental well being. Todays article examines the role caregiver support programs play in improving caregiving for Alzheimers Disease patients, and may play for MSA caregivers also. The article can be found at nbcnews/health/aging/caring-caregivers-pays-alzheimers-fight-n156741 and is titled Caring for Caregivers Pays Off in Alzheimers Fight. The article reports on two studies, one in London and one in Cleveland, both in which caregivers of Alzheimers patients were enrolled to see how support groups can help them. In both studies the caregiver benefited as did the patient, indicating how this relationship is so vital to the mental and physical health of both. For example, the London study provided education about dementia, caregiver stress, and where to get emotional support. It provided techniques for managing dementia patients, who can often be combative, as well as for relaxing, banishing unhelpful thoughts, planning for the future, and even having a little fun sometimes. This approach seems to have worked. In a report released at the Alzheimers Association International Conference, after a year and a half to two years, the people who took part in the Strategies for Relatives (START) program improved on measurements of depression and anxiety, and costs for care actually went down. Similar results were found in the Cleveland study also, with one particular caregiver reporting on how the program championed by the Cleveland Clinic helped her patient husband actually improve some functions. Caregiving is a tough slog for anyone but it is especially tough when it is the life partner attempting to hold both together. Programs, activities, support groups and additional friend and/or relative support are important for the health of the caregiver. As has been said many times to your truly, “If you dont take care of yourself whos going to take care of the one you love when something happens?” It is a valid question and one that now gives me pause every time I need to make a decision that might impact that caregiving dynamic. This week will be a struggle for many caregiver/patient teams. It is a stressful time under the best of conditions but even more so when, as may be the case in this household, the patient wants so much to go out and shop for grandchildrens presents but cannot do so because of a particular symptom. It will be stressful if the decorations are not as the patient wants them or if the meal is not cooked the way the patient desires. Compromises will need to be made during the planning and the execution phases and will certainly make a positive difference if they are made together. And remember, caregivers, rest when you can, take care of yourself if you need and make sure your patient is as positive as can be possible. That will make for a good holiday season for all. Hope you have a good Monday. Be patient with your patient, be caring when you need to be caring and this holiday may be the better for it. More tomorrow.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 13:07:16 +0000
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