An Alzheimer’s caregiver guide to coping with stress

Being a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s could be a very stressful job. The needs of the patient have to be taken into consideration all the time, and caregivers often get in to situations where their efforts could go to waste with even the smallest of mistakes, whether theirs, or worse, their patients’.

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The toll that such pressure exerts on a caregiver could have a significant strain on their mental health: 40 to 70 percent of Alzheimer’s caregivers suffer from depression and other anxiety-related ailments due to the constant stress. And the stress of the job could be extremely overwhelming for some caregivers, especially those related to the patient. Study shows that “compared to other caregivers, caregiver spouses aged 66 to 96 had a 63 percent mortality rate.”

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Fortunately, these numbers are not lost on experts. World health ministers have acknowledged the emotional and physical toll of caring for people with Alzheimer’s, and efforts are now in place to help caregivers effectively deal with the demands of their job.

Below are some practical tips that could help Alzheimer’s caregivers cope at work:

Do some reflection – Caregivers experience a full range of emotions while caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. These can range from anxiety to anger, and everything in between. Caregivers need to take a little time each day to calm down and process these feelings to eliminate any stressful situation.

Keep fit – When all the attention is focused on the patient, it can be all too tempting to disregard one’s own health. Some caregivers may not get enough rest or nutrition or even have little time to exercise. They need to looking after themselves, too, so that they are in better condition to care for their patient.

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Ask for help–Caregivers could turn to their family and friends when they need help physically, psychologically, or emotionally.

David Wildebrandt is a healthcare operations expert and the director of Berkeley Research Group. Follow this Twitter account for select news on health care and healthcare operations.

Clinical efficiency, the David Wildebrandt way

 

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Having served as senior vice president of Baptist Health Care in Northwest Florida and President of Baptist Hospital Inc., David Wildebrandt today shares his experience in healthcare management and metrics with the Berkeley Research Group’s Healthcare Performance Improvement practice. With over 15 years of experience in healthcare operations, he is adept in improving contribution margins and efficiency in healthcare practices.

A strong believer in physician engagement, Mr. Wildebrandt has knowledge on how to healthcare practices can improve clinical performance while guiding them through the daunting fiscal environment of the present. Along the way, he advises on improving patient outcomes and cultivating a culture of engagement in the practice. He had been affiliated with the American College of Health Care Executives, the American Hospital Association, and the Florida chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, and such memberships opened his eyes to the many shades of healthcare reform.

 

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His expertise in management has also benefited other endeavors. He successfully served as the community chairperson for American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in his hometown in Pensacola, Florida. His efforts have helped raise over $500,000 for the cause.

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Guiding his philosophy is his first-hand experience in the management of a world class medical practice. As President of Baptist Hospital, Inc., he had led the company’s recognition as a Top 100 Company by Fortune Magazine for six consecutive years, which, in turn, led to it being bestowed the Malcolm Balridge National Quality Award. He continues to present his expertise in management and clinical experience as a keynote speaker in various healthcare industries events.  

For more information on David Wildebrandt and the Berkeley Research Group, visit this website.