EILEEN ADLER

You know the drill: manage your stress levels. Caring for a loved one is stressful, there’s no way to get around it but there are ways to control it, so it doesn’t control you. If stress is not kept at bay, it might have deleterious effects on our health. We must prioritize how we cope with stress, but how?

• Attitude and flexibility are key. We must find ways to adapt to your challenges.
  
• So many things can go awry when caring for a loved one. Prioritize what you can control and work on solutions that help.
• Self-care includes eating a good diet, exercising, good sleep hygiene, mindfulness, breathing exercises, and immersing yourself in things you enjoy.
• I often say, we’re taking this one day at a time and it proves to be true. Worrying about tomorrow only ruins today. Take time to smell the roses and stay focused on what matters – today!
• It’s just easier to stay home but this is not a good idea. Seeing friends whether it’s in person, on zoom, FaceTime, phone calls, text messages, emails, even snail mail – so many ways to stay connected. Loneliness is lethal.
• Talking it out is helpful. That’s where support groups enter your life because every person in the group is dealing with similar issues and understands.
• Learn everything about the illness your loved one is living with. National organizations offer a wealth of information. For example, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias include a National Toll-Free Helpline (866-232-8484) staffed by licensed social workers.