Dementia with dignity...

Jeremy Nachtigall • Feb 10, 2021
I was in the supermarket yesterday and saw an elderly woman, who was clearly agitated, berating her daughter because she wanted her mom to put on a jacket. You could see that the daughter was frustrated and embarrassed. Family members who care for their parents with dementia are faced with a huge challenge: How to live their own lives independently while helping their parents live independently with dignity. 

I wanted to reach over and hand her a business card before she left, but I didn't feel it was appropriate. I spent some time that weekend thinking about the experience and how difficult it is caring for a loved one with dementia. I know many people who are in this exact position and they are stressed. Some to the point of exhaustion. Caregiving is lonely and caregiver burnout is a real thing. With those demands, the caregiver, be it a daughter, son or professional often times forget about caring for themselves. Even if it means, in the case of a daughter, getting your nails done or in the case of a son, being able to watch a football game on a Sunday afternoon. These little breaks can really help with your mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. 


In fact, Joseph Coughlin, Director of the MIT AgeLab says: “Many people think caregiving is mostly a physical act...but it's also very emotional. It is financial. It is logistics, transportation, getting the appliances fixed and groceries delivered.” 


You shouldn't feel like you're alone. There are resources out there which will help to improve your situation.

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