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April 14, 2025 · 8:00 am

Managing stress as a dementia caregiver

April is National Stress Awareness Month so it’s a good time to discuss healthy ways caregivers of those with dementia and Alzheimer’s can manage stress levels.

The first thing I recommend is to set realistic expectations. The dementia care journey is unique and unpredictable. The more flexible and adaptable you are, the more resilient you will be when facing those tough days when everything seems to go wrong.

Stress can manifest itself in a wide variety of mental and physical symptoms. While people may recognize common symptoms like irritability, anxiety, headaches, and digestive issues, stress can also impair decision-making skills. The longer someone endures a stressful situation, the more difficult it may be to recognize the signs of stress, as the situation begins to feel like the new normal. It’s important to recognize how your body reacts to stressful situations so you can find a stress-relieving method that will work best for you.

There are no shortage of stress reduction techniques that dementia caregivers may find helpful. For me, walks in nature and listening to music were my go-to methods for relieving stress. Anything that helped me reset my brain and my emotional state was effective when I was facing a stressful caregiving situation.

Don’t overlook the ways stress may impact your loved one with dementia. While they may not be able to express their feelings of stress clearly anymore, there are signs that caregivers should aware of as well as the triggers that may cause stress in their loved ones. A caregiver’s mood and stress level may impact a person with dementia.

Being a dementia caregiver can be a lonely and isolating experience. Finding practical ways to relieve your stress, creative outlets to express your feelings, and connecting with others going through a similar situation can be beneficial.

Speaking of creative outlets, I’d like to invite you to a poetry reading taking place at the end of April. Poetry for the Dementia Journey is being hosted by AlzAuthors on April 29 at 2 p.m. ET. The live poetry reading will feature 20 poets, including myself. You can RSVP via this form. I hope you can join us.

Image by ChatGPT.

Finding healthy coping strategies as a caregiver

Myriams-Fotos/Pixabay

A caregiver’s job was stressful enough before the coronavirus pandemic struck the world. But now, social isolation and anxiety, along with financial concerns, may feel overwhelming.

Over the last few years, I’ve spent time looking for ways caregivers can find a bit of respite, even if it’s just for an hour or an afternoon. What I learned from my work on Respite Care Share was that many caregivers aren’t seeking traditional respite care, which involves taking a longer physical break away from their loved one. While they would love a caregiving break, they worry about placing their loved one, especially those with dementia, in the care of a stranger while they’re away.

Based upon that feedback, I started focusing more on self-care, and finding realistic ways a caregiver can find some solace even in the midst of caregiving. It may be a cup of tea in the morning before everyone else is awake; it may be sitting in the garden while your loved one naps. Reading a chapter of a book after your loved one goes to bed. Listening to a favorite song while your loved one is occupied with an activity. It may not seem like much, but it can make a positive difference.

These are all things that can also be done during times of self-isolation. Supplements and herbal remedies may be helpful (but check with your doctor first.) On CBD for Caregivers, I published a post about relaxing beverages which are either non-alcoholic or lower in alcohol. The good news is that there are a variety such beverages available now, and many are quite tasty! One of my new favorites is Hella Cocktail Co.’s Bitters & Soda. It’s a nice beverage to sip while sitting outside in the area of the yard I’ve transformed into my respite corner.

Challenging times like these can find us slipping into bad habits like excessive drinking, smoking, overeating, etc. I hope you have or can find a healthier way to navigate these stressful times while keeping you and your family safe.