Caring for someone with dementia is quite an overwhelming task. It can be stressful, time-consuming and an intensely emotional job. But beyond these challenges, caregiving for dementia patients can make the biggest difference in a person’s life. That, in itself, is a remarkable gift.
Below is a list of challenges and rewards to expect in caring for dementia patients:
CHALLENGES
- Overwhelming emotions as capabilities lessen.
- Fatigue and exhaustion increases as caregiving demands increase.
- There is a sense of isolation and loneliness as independence disappears.
- There will be financial and work complications as costs rise and resources are challenged.
REWARDS
- Bonds deepen through care, companionship, and service.
- Problem solving and skills grow through experience.
- New relationships form through education and support.
- Unexpected rewards develop through compassion and acceptance.
Caring for a family-member in need is an age-old act of love, compassion, and kindness. And as life expectancies increase, more and more of us will be involved in this task.
“Those with dementia are still people and they still have stories and they still have character and they are individuals and they are all unique. And they just need to be interacted with on a human level.” – Carey Mulligan
