Caregiving-Support
Talking to the grandchildren about dementia
by Carol Bradley Bursack, Editor-in-Chief Children often suffer silently as they watch a grandparent with dementia decline. Their parents are busy and often frustrated and sad, so kids can feel that they would only add to their parents' burden if they were to show their despair. However, children need ongoing support, just as their parents do. As adults who care for two or more generations, commonly known as the sandwich generation, we are challenged to help children understand that their grandparents still love them as much as ever, no matter how much the dementia has changed them. We are challenged to help the kids cope with the loss of their grandparent as he or she once was, and even help them learn to care for their grandparent to whatever extent they are able.
Read More > Caregiver stress in body language
by Carol Bradley Bursack, Editor-in-Chief Our body language affects those we care for. If we are stressed and our movements show it, our care receiver is likely to feel that stress. That, in turn, can make the care receiver more stressed and cranky. We then can create a negative cycle. Ideally, caregivers will learn to work off stress away from the care receiver, so that he or she can present a calm and loving presence for his or her loved one.
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