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4 Tips for Reducing Holiday Stress for Alzheimer's Caregivers
Alton, Illinois-Elder law attorney Stephen C. Jones was recently quoted as saying, "The holiday season is the most stressful time of year for anyone caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. That’s because there are so many demands on caregivers’ time during this busy season that it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to go it alone.
Fortunately, according to attorney Jones, author of The Alzheimer’s Legal Survival Guide, you don’t have to go it alone. With a few adjustments, holiday caregiver stress can be avoided or greatly reduced. Here are four tips attorney Jones recommends:
1. Learn "acceptance behavior," an Alzheimer’s caregiver’s technique designed to remove the stress from the caregiver and the patient.
2. Caregivers need to take care of themselves first. They need plenty of rest to have the strength to go about their care giving chores. If you can’t get rest with your loved one there, consider respite care or calling in a friend or family member to give you a break.
3. Be sure all of the appropriate planning documents are in place so that you’re not dealing with an emergency situation on your own during the busy holiday season.
4. Look into any available benefits. The general public is often shocked to find that there are at-home benefits available and that there are ways to cut the cost of nursing home care if they only talk to someone skilled and knowledgeable in this area.
"Remember, this doesn’t have to be the most stressful time of the year. Holidays can be a wonderful time to reconnect with your friends and family. That’s doubly true if you have a loved one who has Alzheimer’s.
Knowledge taken from experts, doctors, and an elder law attorney empowers individuals and families to calmly face the situation. For a free copy of "The 9 Steps to Peace of Mind for the Alzheimer’s Family," readers can call 618-208-1469.
Jones also offers free initial consultations to discuss a family’s particular situation.
About Jones Elder Law Founded in 2009, Jones Elder Law serves the special needs of aged clients. Jones started the firm after helping to care for his ailing grandmother, who died on December 27, 2008 after suffering from congestive heart failure. After experiencing first-hand the frustration that comes from dealing with a variety of issues that individuals face as they age, he decided to start the firm to ease the process for other families. Besides Medicaid planning, Jones Elder Law handles wills, trusts, probate, and guardianship issues. Another invaluable service available is unbiased assistance with how to find a quality nursing home and how to arrange to pay for the cost of the long-term care.