Dementia Care Professionals Month
June is Dementia Care Professionals Month – a time to recognize all dementia-specific caregivers for the many sacrifices they make along their journeys. Being a caregiver for an individual living with dementia takes extreme generosity and patience. Loved ones who take on this responsibility are not always trained adequately for the job, which leads to overall health and financial complications – 1 in 2 loved ones report their finances or career being negatively impacted because of caregiving responsibilities. Unfortunately, the number of individuals living with dementia continues to skyrocket in America. As the total increases, so does the need for properly trained caregivers in dementia care.
Caregiver Burnout: Warnings and Cures
Stress and mental health issues can be prevalent among dementia caregivers due to the toll of watching over their loved one or patient nearly 24/7. In fact, 59% of these caregivers experience anxiety and depression, and a whopping 72% said their overall health declined since becoming a caregiver. There are a multitude of symptoms, such as social withdrawal, anxiety, etc., that can be warning signs of stress and burnout for these caregivers. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms on a daily basis, it may be time to consult your doctor for assistance. It is important to remember that too much stress can affect the person you care for in addition to yourself.
Although burnout and stress can consume a caregiver’s motivation, there are various ways to counteract these negative feelings. Knowing the list of symptoms of burnout and stress is one of the best ways to do so. Another way is to overcome caregiver guilt; caregivers must take care of themselves without feeling shame for diverting attention from the patient – it is the only true way to prevent burnout.
Dementia-Specific Care Professionals
Family caregivers do not have to be the only quality care option–there are trained professionals in the dementia care field to assist you when burnout is feeling inevitable. A multitude of care options, from long-term to respite care, exist for the different stages and unique cases of dementia.
Home To Stay’s ELITE Program is the only authorized dementia care provider of the award-winning AlzBetter program in South Jersey. With our 30+ years of home care experience, we are bringing a level of dementia care that has never previously existed. Our team of memory care specialists undergo the highest level of training and offer empathy, understanding and most importantly a plan. Call Home To Stay today to ask what a care plan would look like for your loved one.
