The practice of care

Best practices include the care of our darlings but as caregivers we need to look out for ourselves.

Care for the caregiver includes respite, a topic dear to me and upon which I have expostulated at length.

Self-care can and should be done in the company of others. Spend time with friends.

I have lunch with various friends regularly. This is a great respite activity, but having visitors come to see us is also of benefit.

Support groups! Yes. I participate in a bunch. For LBD specific support there’s an online memo board through LBD Caring Spouses which is miraculously helpful. Much of my ideas for Best Practices came from that group.

Lewy Body Dementia Resource Center has a hotline and you can call to talk to a person who knows LBD. I also participate in a couple of their zoom meetings.

My support network extends to a wide circle. I meet with a group facilitated by the Social Worker  at the neurologist’s office. I have also had one-on-one meetings with her.

Alzheimer’s Association has lots of groups, including one that gives me another creative outlet. Caregiver’s Expressions taps our writing skills to tackle the issues of caregiving.

I journal as well to document feelings and events. I blog here. The two (I guess 3) are different and similar.

I advise you to journal. Keep track of the daily changes. Most importantly, write one point of gratitude for each day. I attended a webinar that advised noting  one positive interaction with your loved one each day.

It shines a light on your raison d’etre, your purpose in caregiving.