Volume 1; Issue 3
August 28, 2009

This is the third issue of The Dementia Caregiving Encourager. We’ve been publishing this ezine for six weeks already! If you haven’t seen the other two issues yet check out the Ezine Archives . Each issue is short, helpful, and designed to encourage you that you can be a great dementia caregiver.

This is a tough job, but you are able to do it, and to do it well. We didn’t know what we were doing when we started caring for our Mom, but we want to share with you what we learned so you don’t have to make the mistakes we did. Our experiences will make your job easier.

If you have any comments or suggestions for The Dementia Caregiving Encourager please contact us. We love to hear from our readers.

Blessings!
Paula Farris & Lanette Stultz
http://www.DementiaCaregiving101.com

Scheduling—Find Time to Get It All Done and Still Have Fun!

How do you get it all done? How do you keep up with it all without burning out with exhaustion? Is it possible to have any down time?

Here are 5 tips to help you find time to get it all done and still have fun:

K.I.S.S.--Keep It Simple Sweetheart!

The fewer things you have to find time for the more time you will have for everything that MUST be done. Try to schedule appointments and errands for the same day. Pare down your belongings so you will have less to take care of. Find ways to simplify your life.

Plan for Fun Time

We all need to relax. There is enough work for a dementia caregiver to do to keep you busy all the time, but if you don’t give yourself some down time you will burn yourself out.

Plan a time each day to do something fun. Get out of your regular routine. Visit with friends. Play!

There are many activities you can do with your loved one that require very little prep time and materials, but if you don’t plan a time to do them they will not happen. Schedule fun into your days just like you schedule doctor appointments. It is that important!

Learn How to Cook Fast, Simple Meals

There are many cookbooks on the market that feature meals that can be made in 30 minutes or less—entire meals not just the main dish. Look for them at your library or search for some ideas online.

The slow cooker is your friend. Learn to use time saving tools and techniques in the kitchen to free up time for other things.

Do Difficult Things at the Best Time of Day

We all have chores that challenge us. Whether it’s balancing the checkbook, scrubbing the toilets, or running errands, if it is a difficult chore for you to do schedule it for your best time of day—the time of day when you have the most energy.

Save your sluggish time for easy tasks. And don’t forget to schedule your fun times!

Be Flexible

The one constant thing about dementia caregiving is that nothing is constant. Your loved one will have good days and bad days. You will have emergencies, some small and some very large. There will be days when all you do is console your loved one, or argue with them, or convince them that, “No, they really can’t drive to the store for some milk.”

Flexibility is one skill that will make your life so much easier. Unless it absolutely MUST be done (i.e., a scheduled doctor appointment) most things can be put off, rearranged, or cancelled.

If you have to order pizza for lunch, serve leftovers for dinner, use paper plates, and let the laundry pile up remember that you main priority is to take care of your loved one. Everything else can wait.

Activity Idea

Thanks for Joining Us!

We look forward to visiting with you again soon.