A New Role: Caregiver A new dementia diagnosis for a loved one is a shock. It means your life will be different than what you thought it would be. Now, in addition to being a wife, husband, son, or daughter, you are a caregiver for someone with an unpredictable, progressive disease. Or maybe the diagnosis was made a while ago, but lately, it seems that they need more help from you than they did last year, last week, or even yesterday. Here are some strategies for managing the role of Caregiver: Take a Break from Caregiving This isn't selfish; it's needed for your own well-being. You need to stay healthy- physically and mentally - to be an effective caregiver. Adult Day provides caregivers time for errands and self-care while providing an appropriately stimulating experience for the person living with dementia. Nourish Your Relationships Take time to be the husband, the wife, the daughter, the son, the friend you always were. For your well-being, and the well-being of the person for whom you are caring, maintain social connections. They still need you, they need emotional connections, and they need to feel loved and know that they still matter. Create a Routine As dementia progresses, the familiarity of a routine will help them be as independent with care as possible for as long as possible. Join a Support Group Caregiving can be isolating, and being with others in similar situations is a great way to receive support and validation, and to realize you are not alone. Enrichment programs for people living with dementia Other Things to Remember When you're frustrated, step away for a moment, calm down, and then try again. Let people in your life know what you need from them - don't make them guess, tell them. Learn as much as you can about the disease, what to expect, and what your family member needs from you. Adult Day Program: Woodside Place of Washington 954 Redstone Road, Washington, PA 15301 Assistance with activities of daily living To learn more: Call 724.250.4981 or visit SrCare.org/Washington Adult Day Safe and secure setting Rest for the caregiver . Presbyterian Senior Care 95 Years of NETWORK. Making Aging Easier. FILA D & A New Role : Caregiver A new dementia diagnosis for a loved one is a shock . It means your life will be different than what you thought it would be . Now , in addition to being a wife , husband , son , or daughter , you are a caregiver for someone with an unpredictable , progressive disease . Or maybe the diagnosis was made a while ago , but lately , it seems that they need more help from you than they did last year , last week , or even yesterday . Here are some strategies for managing the role of Caregiver : Take a Break from Caregiving This isn't selfish ; it's needed for your own well - being . You need to stay healthy physically and mentally - to be an effective caregiver . Adult Day provides caregivers time for errands and self - care while providing an appropriately stimulating experience for the person living with dementia . Nourish Your Relationships Take time to be the husband , the wife , the daughter , the son , the friend you always were . For your well - being , and the well - being of the person for whom you are caring , maintain social connections . They still need you , they need emotional connections , and they need to feel loved and know that they still matter . Create a Routine As dementia progresses , the familiarity of a routine will help them be as independent with care as possible for as long as possible . Join a Support Group Caregiving can be isolating , and being with others in similar situations is a great way to receive support and validation , and to realize you are not alone . Enrichment programs for people living with dementia Other Things to Remember When you're frustrated , step away for a moment , calm down , and then try again . Let people in your life know what you need from them - don't make them guess , tell them . Learn as much as you can about the disease , what to expect , and what your family member needs from you . Adult Day Program : Woodside Place of Washington 954 Redstone Road , Washington , PA 15301 Assistance with activities of daily living To learn more : Call 724.250.4981 or visit SrCare.org/Washington Adult Day Safe and secure setting Rest for the caregiver . Presbyterian Senior Care 95 Years of NETWORK . Making Aging Easier . FILA D &