For the next few weeks, we are featuring some of our favorite blogs from years past. This entry was first published by In Care of Dad on May 5, 2011.
by Karen Keller Capuciati and Irene Hammer McLaughlin
Intuitively, we all know that stress is not healthy, but research shows that stress can also significantly hasten the progression of AD. So stress management is of great importance and should be addressed at diagnosis.
An August 2006 article published in Science Daily, called “Stress Significantly Hastens Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease,” states that stress hormones significantly increase the proteins beta amyloid and tau, which, in turn, cause the formation of plaques and tangles in the brain. It’s the plaques and tangles that are commonly considered a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
You may have noticed that, in addition to hastening the progression, stress will exacerbate symptomatic behavior like aggression, sleeplessness, and anxiety. So reducing stress could relieve some of the difficult behaviors that create a vicious cycle of stress and suffering. Additionally, reducing stress can also diminish the need for additional medications for anxiety and depression.
So what can you do?
- First of all, take care of yourself. We often don’t consider our own stress when we’re occupied with caring for another. But our own stress can impact our loved one. The Alzheimer’s Association has a Caregiver Stress Brochure and a Caregiver Stress Check quiz that asks questions such as: Do you feel you have to do it all yourself? Are you withdrawing from family, friends and activities you used to enjoy? Do you worry that the person you care for is safe? The quiz can help you pinpoint the areas in your own life that need addressing and ways to handle some of the resultant stress.
- Research the support and resources that are available to you and do not be reluctant to accept help. Local churches and The Alzheimer’s Associations helpline (800-272-3900) are good places to start.
- Utilize adult day care, home-health care or other support networks in order to find time for yourself.
- Develop a care plan for yourself. Planning is critical and can help reduce stress. Take advantage of the qualified people at the Alzheimer’s Association and allow them to assist you in developing the best plan for your situation.
- Make time for exercise.
- Watch your diet.
- Get rest. An In Care of Dad reader, Kathleen, wrote in that she put a baby monitor in her father-in-law’s room (who also has dementia) and this helps her and her husband sleep.
- Don’t berate yourself. Self-flagellation serves no purpose when you’re already doing so much.
- Educate yourself on how to respond to certain difficult behaviors or situations. Read Learning to Speak Alzheimer’s or you can learn responses to anxious or aggressive behaviors at alz.org.
Here is a fall-back strategy. If you walk away for a minute and be a bit of a sleuth as to why your loved one is behaving in a particular manner, you can then address the root of the disturbance as opposed to reacting with frustration to the difficult behavior.
As an example, consider this scenario: A patient in a nursing home is insisting, “The aide took my purse!” Normally, this might elicit a flurry of reactions from the staff and the family, all trying to get to the bottom of the missing purse. But instead of angry confrontations, which will just heighten the patient’s anxiety level, try to recognize the outburst as an expression of fear and feelings of being lost herself. Defuse the situation with reassuring words. Let the patient know she is safe, she is loved and she is being cared for. This will be far more effective than a “courtroom” scene with accusations and finger-pointing.
This is a good example of how education and a shift in approach can go a long way to making situations less stressful.
Tags: help for reducing stress, how to manage caregiver stress, stress and Alzheimer's, Stress Significantly Hastens Progression of Alzheimer's Disease, what to know with an Alzheimer's diagnosis
