
I know my friend Alice is dealing with a lot these days! She has taken on the responsibility of caring for her Dad who has Alzheimer's. I really want to help my friend but I don't know how. I know that caregiving can be a very stressful job. What can I do?
If this sounds familiar here are a few suggestions. With the holiday season surrounding us there are plenty of ways you can offer to help.
I help families explore different care solutions. If you think it may be time to place a loved one in Assisted Living or Memory Care give me a call. I can help. Call Kathryn 281-827-7090 or email
If this sounds familiar here are a few suggestions. With the holiday season surrounding us there are plenty of ways you can offer to help.
- Organize a Gift Wrapping Party- Get a few friends together and let Alice know that you will be coming over Saturday afternoon to wrap all of her gifts. Ask if she needs you to pick up paper or other supplies.
- Organize a Holiday Decorating Party- You know your friend loves to have her house decorated for Christmas but she is just too exhausted to do it. Tell her your group will be coming over to take care of everything and you will return after Christmas to take everything back down.
- Make calls to local churches and other organizations to find out what other resources may be available to help her with the on-going care of her Dad. In some of the local churches in my area there are Caregiver Day out programs much like the Mom's Day Out Programs. A Caregiver is able to drop off a family member with Alzheimer's for a few hours with trained volunteers who have a program planned. This gives the caregiver a much needed break. Check to see what is available in your community.
- Offer to stay with her dad for a hour or two a week- This will give your friend a much needed break. She can run an errand, get her nails done or just take a walk. If she feels uncomfortable leaving the house tell her you will come in and entertain Dad while she takes a long hot bubble bath.Sometimes it's hard for a caregiver to let go and allow someone else to take over.
- Call from the grocery store to see if she needs anything- Picking up that bottle of milk or loaf of bread is one less thing she has to worry about. Chances are if she knows you are already at the store she will be more likely to let you help by picking up a few things than if you offered to make a special trip for her.
- Call and ask how she is doing - And then listen.Don't try to fix her problems or offer solutions just listen.Listening is the most valuable gift you can give your friend.
I help families explore different care solutions. If you think it may be time to place a loved one in Assisted Living or Memory Care give me a call. I can help. Call Kathryn 281-827-7090 or email