Caring for a person living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia is hard. Care partners be sure to take a break!

Written By Judy King

Asking for help is hard. You really don’t want to for several reasons, one being it’s hard to trust a stranger with your loved one Living with dementia. They don’t know them, they don’t know their needs, how will they handle a catastrophic event?

It is hard but you really need to do it. It will benefit you and your loved one. You will return rested and at your best and better able to give them the best care you can.

Some things to look for:

  • Look for a person with experience in dementia

  • Ask them how they will handle a catastrophic event

  • Are they willing to take them for walks

  • What will they do if there are inappropriate comments

  • What will they do in case of emergency

  • Look at their grooming, this tells you a lot about them.

The answers to these questions and any others you personally think of will guide you to having confidence in the caregiver when you leave.

Don’t hesitate to interview different care giving companies. Find one that works well with you and your schedule. It’s a good idea to have a backup Company.

If you use a Private Caregiver, make sure they know YOU are the boss not your loved one. Make sure they know you are the only one that can fire them. Check references and have a couple of people you can call.

A great trust can be found with the right care partner!

You may also want to complete a Preferred Preference Care Plan for your loved one. This plan shares the pLwd likes, dislikes and some history about the individual. As a Care partner I’ve found this extremely helpful when providing care for someone I just met. I’m able to gear my conversations to what they may have experienced in life and knowing their personal preferences, it helps with things like dressing, eating, hygiene and providing comfort. To make things easy for you I’ve prepared a form you may use as a guide. While you are printing create one for yourself. It can’t hurt to have it with your important papers. You could complete them together!

Here is the link: Preferred Preference Care Plan

Other sources of help: Community Senior Center/Church or Religious organization/Local Alzheimer’s Chapter/Neighbor or trusted friend

So you finally found the right person and now you can take some time for yourself, but what to do?

Things for you to do:

  • Go to local park and relax on a bench

  • Go for a walk

  • Schedule a massage or Manicure/Pedicure

  • Visit a friend-Go to lunch with a friend

  • Find a place to sit in your yard out of site and listen to some calming music with headphones

  • Go to the Gym

  • Go to a bookstore, find a good read

  • Journal - document symptoms you’ve witnessed and how they made you feel. Keep track of approaches you’ve tried that worked or didn’t go so well (so you can try a different approach next time).

Just a few ideas that I’ve heard help. Respite time is important and beneficial for you both!

You don’t have to do this alone. For more options, ideas or support I offer Free Consultations contact me today!

Relax and recharge: One Energy Wellness Spa

Judy King

Welcome to Arms of Grace Respite Care, llc. My name is Judy, and I am deeply passionate about supporting care partners who walk the challenging yet rewarding path of caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia. With over 16 years as a business owner and a lifetime of varied experiences, I’ve cultivated a heart-centered approach to care that emphasizes compassion, understanding, and empowerment.

My journey has been shaped by firsthand experience with conditions such as Parkinson’s, primary progressive multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer’s, and common geriatric issues.

To better serve care partners, I pursued CNA training and furthered my education through Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care, which provides invaluable insights into brain changes in those living with Alzheimer’s. I remain committed to staying informed, reading current research on Alzheimer’s disease weekly, and volunteering at an assisted living community I previously worked at. I provide a Chair exercise program that promotes Neuroplasticity. It is named Ageless Grace(timeless fitness for the body and brain).

Beyond my professional life, I am a wife, mother, grandmother, and someone who finds joy in the outdoors, crafting, and helping others. I am here to guide you with compassion and practical tools to navigate the complexities of caregiving. Together, we can ensure that you and your loved one feel supported every step of the way.

https://livewithdementia.com
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