Caring for a parent or loved one with dementia is tough enough. When you add in multiple adult children (i.e., siblings) who may hold differing opinions about what is “best,” the situation can become emotionally charged or even harmful to the relationships of those involved. Disagreements about decisions, roles, and responsibilities add significantly to overall stress and can erode both relationships and care quality for the person living with dementia.
Caring for a loved one with dementia is a journey filled with love, responsibility, and for many, exhaustion. Caregivers can find themselves constantly “on call,” with little space for rest.
As dementia progresses, one of the more disorienting and sometimes heartbreaking symptoms caregivers face is their loved one’s loss of understanding of time.
When we think of caregiver burnout, we often picture someone completely overwhelmed—physically drained, emotionally numb, maybe even at the edge of a breakdown.
Caring for a loved one living with dementia can be both rewarding and challenging depending on the moment and circumstance. The emotional, physical, and mental demands are constant and without proper support, stress can quickly take a toll on a caregiver’s health and well-being.
Many caregivers have older adults in the home who are facing severe cognitive decline, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. For those older people there a unique support system available that may be an option before an individual is ready for skilled care--it is often referred to as memory care or special needs assisted living.
Caring for a loved one is a profound journey, filled with both rewards and challenges. Recognizing the pivotal role family caregivers play, the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston has curated a dedicated online resource hub to support and empower caregivers throughout their journey.
