Manage dementia caregiver stress: 4 tips to cope with difficult dementia behaviors

Welcome to the place where I share dementia tips, strategies, and information for family members caring for a loved one with any type of dementia (such as Alzheimer's disease, Lewy Body dementia, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, etc.)

Today’s video discusses the dangers you face simply for caring for someone with dementia. Dementia caregivers are at higher risk of death, sickness, depression, and anxiety. Listen to hear about my 4 tips you can use to help calm down and deal with stress when you are in the middle of a difficult dementia caregiving situation.

If you love someone with any type of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, Lewy Body dementia, or vascular dementia, then chances are high that you feel stressed out and frustrated from time to time.

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In case you haven’t met me, my name is Natali Edmonds and I am a board certified geropsychologist. That means that I am a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with older adults. One day, while hiking a trail, I came up with the idea for Careblazers and I decided to see if posting videos online could provide help to the many other Careblazers in the world who don’t get to have help come directly to them in their homes. I hope that this work helps you in some way on your caregiving journey.
#careblazer #dementia #dementiacaregiver

[lisasternenkind]

Having cPTSD, I deal a lot with stress and anxiety. So I must say that having an animal, especially a dog, is of great help. Not only will a dog help your loved one with dementia, but also you as caregiver. The dog must not even be a service dog or therapy dog, just a dog, maybe from a rescue center.

In addition I can tell you that any creative activity will help you deal with undesired emotions. I found out that especially watercolor helped me very much. Also watercolor in combination with neurographica is of great help to calm down, to let go of stress and / or anxiety, to organize thoughts and focus on certain things like for example decision making.
I am quite convinced that neurographica can be of help for people suffering from dementia too. It's just simple, totally random lines to be put on paper, and then get rid of sharp corners by rounding everything. Then you can either doodle within the different forms you just created, or you color them first with watercolor or colored pencils, before doodleing. But this last step must not be done if you don't want to.
On YouTube you can find various channels by creative people or artists, showcasing neurographica or neurographic art. It's simple, easy understandable steps make neurographic art so practical for releasing stress or anxiety, and for clearing the mind when making decisions.
Have fun being creative together. 😊
Cheers from Germany to all careblazers all over the world. 😉

[theclapaolini]

Thank God for you helping so many people because I hear quite a few errors that a caregiver does .of course your tips were put into practice.

[rcarter]

Your videos are a big help to me. Thank you for making them. I finally found someone to help me by staying with my sister 5 days a week about 35 hours. What a relief. I can see and feel the change it is giving me.

[diannakins]

Thank you for the 4-Coping skills. It’s interesting when I was listening today, these coping skills that you’re sharing I’ve done each one of these after my husband passed away, we learn these in grief class. Thank you for sharing them with your listeners and I pray that it’s helpful for everyone.

[americanbluejacket]

So very helpful. My wife just came home from the hospital after a severe stroke. There is only me to take care of her. I'm 73 and she is 69. Our lives were turned upside down. I am a disabled veteran myself BUT I am filling the gap as best that I can. She gets angry and irrational at times. They are the hardest for me to deal with. The physical demands along with everything else that a 100% caregiver has to do is nothing compared to the emotional part. BUT, I found your videos and am learning a lot. So THANK YOU VERY MUCH for these videos and know they are helping people like me. God provides. Blessings to you and yours.

[lindaferonti]

I live in a very rural area. We are lacking in services for dementia. My father had dementia before his death, so I am aware of the challenges I can face. Your podcasts have helped me in innumerable ways. I felt frightened & overwhelmed
Your instructions & insights now reassure me I will be able to live with my much-loved husband in productive ways for both of us. Thank you for your insightful help!

[MelissaAnita]

Thank you for everything you do to help support caregivers with invaluable tools to assist ourselves and our loved ones through, often times unbelievably, difficult life situations.

[ddhh]

My hubby has dementia I love him dearly. He has progressed to the point where he has forgotten our 3 grown children name as well as mine most often. He is very loving and kind to me and I am so happy he is easy to get along with. However I have not been away from him in over 3 years and he loves me so much he wants to be with me all the time. I need time alone and as well away for few days. I never leave the condo without him, he comes everywhere with me. I'm so tired depressed and he cries if he sees me unhappy. Help me please.

[dmxbull]

Hey I am new to dementia, I took a job working security at a nursing home. YOUR VIDEO really helping :)!

[angelerodrigue]

Thank you very much for sharing your expertise so freely with us who have the privilege and responsibility of caregiving. I’m so grateful for having heard these 4 tips, and actually started implementing your recommendations before the video was even finished!

[johnellis]

I'm anticipating a future need in care giving for my spouse. This video is a start in under standing what I need to prepare.

[myraramkeesoon]

I can relate to this, was taking care of my sister and went thru so many difficulties, lost a great deal of weight and was concered about my health, at 72 I had to remove myself and let others take over. Thank you so much, your tips are very helpful, wish I had known them before.

[scratchy]

Natali, I watch and listen to your videos daily. You have been a tremendous source of information to me. I advise other caregivers to listen to you videos as well. Thank you so much for what you do.

[Ava-ocdg]

I stopped smoking yrs ago but I really wish I did again it would make this Soo much easier!

[conniesmith]

i love to cook and make bread..i make lots of bread and way to much food but it does help i pray a lot and thank God for all my many other blessings..thank you so much for time you take to help us..

[hothartzdh]

Thank you. My husband and I are just embarking on this journey for his parents. He is so overwhelmed, I'm fine, and do what I can to help, and guide him to know what legal things he needs to handle. But this is so hard on him. Your advise is helpful. I do worry about him. I know things are going to get tougher soon.

[lindsayreddy]

Thankyou, i'me caring for a father who was a molester and a mother who didn't see anything! They live in our home however they have there own living room bathroom And bedrooms. You have given me good pointers. But, I feel I feel guilty but I feel proud, it's such a roller coaster. Thankyou for your fine information. L xox.

[kathyfann]

I am having trouble sleeping now it’s odd I could always sleep. Never had any trouble in that area. I have been resting and giving myself a non determined time to do nothing. I picked up a lamp to read my Bible now that I cannot be stopped and what a joy this is. I am not lonely at all. I love a quiet house

[luckysweetheartvintage]

Thank you so much for making this video dear! I know that you made this a while ago but I just wanted to let you know that truly appreciate this chat and it is helping me to care for my grandma

[lenoradennis]

I really love your sessions and it makes me feel better. I'm really trying to calm myself down, had got very I'll, visiting my mom(believed I caught it from her)and trying to get well. I'm saying silent prayers for myself, sometimes I start crying & wonder what I'm gonna do, if she leaves me. I'm thinking of visiting a psychiatrist!