Notes from our dementia support group meeting on caregiver stress

Samvedna Care Foundation organizes Dementia Support Group (DSG) meetings on a monthly basis. Any caregiver of a Dementia patient can attend this meeting, and it is free of charge. Caregivers are invited to discuss and share their experiences and challenges so that it can help other caregivers.

As a Senior Care Specialist I have seen that different types of dementia can lead to different experiences and problems for the person with dementia and their loved ones. Not every person will experience the same set of symptoms, some might also experience a mix of two types of dementia. Handling a loved one with dementia is like a 24/7 job which requires great compassion, patience, attention and love.

Our meeting this time was focused on caregiver stress and how to cope with it. The meeting comprised of people who had years of experience dealing with a person with dementia, and some of them whose loved ones had been recently diagnosed.

The meeting started with everyone sharing about their experience and challenges. One of the member’s shared his experience of being in denial for almost a couple of years before the family could accept that their father had dementia. The bigger issue it seems was making the extended family understand the situation and how to prevent them from being over helpful or making irresponsible comments. Members also shared that once there is acceptance it is important for one of the family members to take ownership of the elderly to avoid confusions. As someone shared that he took the responsibility of taking care of his mother and she permanently moved in with him. From there on the siblings created a schedule of caregiving so that each of them could contribute to the caregiving, this also ensured adequate respite to everyone involved in the care.

As another member agreed that once there was acceptance and ownership they could work out their lives around it and made sure that they spent time pursuing their own hobbies and socialization commitments. It is important for the caregiver to find “me” time to relax and rejuvenate. When the caregiver is mentally, emotionally and physically healthy only then he/she will be able to take proper care of the patient.

Our Dementia consultant discussed about the eight key signs of caregiver stress – Denial, Anger, Social Withdrawal, Anxiety, Depression, Exhaustion, Sleeplessness, Irritability and Health problems.

Guilt is another aspect which hurts the primary caregiver, it is important to let go and ensure time for your own emotional and physical health. It is okay to take help from family and friends without feeling bad about it.

Samvedna Care’s counsellor then talked about some of the relaxation techniques like – muscle relaxation, deep breathing, creative visualization, meditation and mindfulness, which can be of great help to fight with the care giving stress. She also conducted PMR for all members to help them relax.

It was a great meeting and it was heartening to see member open up and talk about their issues in a non-judgmental environment and seek support for their problems.  As they say sharing is caring !

We at Samvedna Care aim to help seniors live happy, active and independent lives, in the comfort of their home and community through interactive caregiving.

Samvedna Care was established in October 2013 with two complementary goals – firstly to provide quality home care services to seniors with limited mobility or dementia and hence social interaction, and secondly to facilitate stimulating community interaction and participation.

General Wellbeing:

With our General Well Being Services we aim to raise the quality of life of seniors, specially those who may have limited mobility and social interaction due to various constraints. Our interactive programme keeps them active and engaged through physical, mental and social activities, all in the comfort of their home.

More – Elder Care

Our Dementia Care services are –

At-home services –
Dementia intervention activities by trained Care Specialists (already mentioned above). These services are available in Delhi NCR and Guwahati
More – Dementia Care Services
Please call us for more info – Delhi NCR – 98184 21446, 124 4229659 | Guwahati – 9864015872

Dementia Support Group –
Our Dementia Support group in Delhi NCR and Guwahati is a platform for caregivers to share feelings and support each other.
Please call us for more info – Delhi NCR – 98184 21446, 124 4229659 | Guwahati – 9864015872

Cognitive Wellness Programme, Sector 57  Gurgaon  –
Samvedna’s Cognitive Wellness Programme is designed for seniors with mild cognitive impairment, early dementia or Parkinson’s, and elderly lacking in enthusiasm and motivation. The aim is to stimulate the mind of the elderly to slow the progression of the disease or impairment. The sessions are 3 days a week, 11AM-1PM.