Mmm....a relaxing spa day!

Alternative Home

Beauty Info

All about Pregnancy



As The Primary Caregiver, Should I Journal My Feelings About Alzheimer's Disease?


Being a caregiver is stressful and difficult. It involves contradictory feelings, thoughts and frustrations. When you have to care for a loved one who has Alzheimer's, you have to be patient, talk with a calm voice and never "talk down" to your loved one.

Journaling your thoughts and feelings will definitely help you cope with the situation. Write in your journal all that comes through your mind and your heart; nobody but you will read it. It is between you and your journal. Let your pen guide you through the pages. You may want to do some extra research on Alzheimer's disease to better understand the process and stages your loved one will pass through. If you are a little bit knowledgeable about the disease, the process of caring will be easier on both you and your loved one.

You can keep daily notes on your loved one, such as bathing or eating changes, whether she becomes agitated, and so on. It can also help you remember things to discuss with the doctor.

The good thing about a journal is that it is handy and you can write whenever you feel like it, day or night. It will never contradict you. On the contrary, it will aid you in dealing with your internal emotions; it will relieve your mind and your soul. If you are uncomfortable about writing, then it may be easier for you to express your feelings by recording them on a tape recorder. If you like, you can recall some family gathering you all had together, a camping trip or fishing trip where your loved one caught a BIGGGGG fish! You can read this part to him and it might trigger some memory in your loved one?a memory that was lost to Alzheimer's.

Journaling will also help you release the burden of care giving you may have. Releasing the burden through the pen will definitely ease the pain. But journaling should not be the only way out for these strong feelings you have. You may want to enroll in a support group. You can check through the Alzheimer's Association if there is such a group in you area. Speaking to other people will help in getting all these negative emotions out. And most of the participants are dealing with exactly the same emotions because they have to care for a loved one who has dementia. Sometimes, speaking out loud and getting out these feelings will do you a lot of good and you will feel much better after. You may even make friends through these groups, friends that will be able to support you as time goes on.

Remember, you are not alone. You have friends and family to talk to. Maybe you can ask a family member to help with your loved one. It will ease the burden and give you more time to yourself, to journal and to recharge your batteries.

About The Author

William G. Hammond, JD is a nationally known elder law attorney and founder of The Alzheimer's Resource Center. He is a frequent guest on radio and television and has developed innovative solutions to guide families who have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's. For more information you can visit his website at www.BeatAlzheimers.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

What Bailey is known for, other than Julius Peppers
Chicago Sun-Times (blog)
I wasn't born in the US, and, as a little boy, I benefited from alternative medicine. If not for the procedure, I might not have the use of my right leg. ...

and more »


TopNews United States

Relaxation therapy for anxiety
NHS Choices
The study was funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The paper was published in the (peer-reviewed) medical journal: ...
Massage no better at beating stress than deep breathing and soft musicTelegraph.co.uk

all 13 news articles »


Alternative and modern medicine can coexist
Hofstra University Hofstra Chronicle
While alternative medicine has been slowly and gradually making its way into Western culture, it has not been fully embraced by the ...



Alternative healing
Ithaca College The Ithacan
Ithaca residents interested in alternative medicine will find a new place to stay healthy when Pat ...



Inquirer.net

Introducing face, nose, bust lift-without surgery
Inquirer.net
Both acupuncture and chiropractice, expectedly, are still considered alternative medicine by practitioners of mainstream medicine and science. ...



The Carolina Center Discusses How to Optimize Nutritional Supplements Choices ...
dBusinessNews Triangle (press release)
... a peer-reviewed medical journal and has written articles for American Health, Alternative Medicine, and Yoga Journal, among other publications. ...

and more »


Miller: 'I'ma walking testament to never give up'
Dahlonega Nugget
He also takes a daily dose of “Paw Paw Cell Reg” supplements, also an alternative medicine, which reportedly keep blood vessels within cancer tumors from ...

and more »


WHAG

Practitioners Calm and Soothe With Holistic Therapies
WHAG
BOONSBORO, MD - For centuries alternative medicine has been used to help treat people and make them feel better. A wellness center in Boonsboro is helping ...



Alternative medicine: The rising quest for magic bullets
The Citizen Daily
Health experts say alongside conventional medicine, one can use alternative therapy to speed up healing. Practices may base themselves on traditional ...
Acupuncture: Quit Crying and Try It...TwiceEmpowHer (blog)

all 3 news articles »


Whitstable Pearl: Eileen McShane
thisiskent.co.uk
A recent report by the Science and Technology Select Committee said homeopathy works no better than placebo and NHS funding for alternative medicine should ...

and more »

Google News

Alternative home | site map | Beauty | Massage oils | Essential Oils | Health and Pregnancy | Alternative medicine Courses
Alternative medicine © 2006