But Guthrie kept all the stress inside because no one was talking about caregiving then, she says.
Anyone whos a caregiver will tell you thatswayeasier said than done.
And as it progresses, it requires more and more from you as a caregiver.
Jordan Moss
People think its justmemory loss, but thats the easy part, she says.
We spoke with several current and formerAlzheimers caregiversabout the self-care moves theyve found helpful for doing just that.
Open up about what youre going through.
Amy L.s father, Art, was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease in 2012.
Its so isolating, Amy tells SELF.
Our society conditions us to take it to the chin and to think that youre fine.
Youre not fine, and its a lot to handle on your own.
Her advice: Allow yourself the emotional release you need.
Guthrie also suggests letting go of your expectations of who those people might be.
Even close friends and family members can dip out in tough situations, she notes.
But you might be surprised by the new people who crop up to fill in the gaps.
Of course, you canand shouldmake the first move to reach out to people too.
And that doesnt always need to look like asking for something specific, Guthrie says.
(Maybe thereisntanything they could really do or give you that would help.)
2. give a shot to talk to someone from the outside world at least once a day.
Having that outside connection helped a lot.
Find common ground with fellow caregivers.
Identify at least one productive coping mechanism for your stress.
But Karen says its essential to hang onto at least one of these practices from your pre-caregiver days.
Recently, that included going through a 200-hour yoga teacher training course to become a certified yoga instructor.
For Guthrie, it looks like teaching a weekly dance fitness class at her local YMCA.
Put self-care time in your calendar and stick to it like you would a meeting.
And thats completely valid.
But you also wont ever have time unless youmakeit, Guthrie says.
She suggests literally adding blocks for self-care into your schedule.
It took her three years, she says, to recover her sense of self.
Savor the micro moments of alone time.
Just getting a small dose of movement would help to ground her.
Explore respite care if its within your means.
Still, that might be worth it on occasion to take some time completely for yourself.
Stephanie C., whocared for her mom with Alzheimersfor several years, wishes shed made more use of it.
Make and keep your own doctors appointments.
And thats thelastthing you need when a loved one is relying on you.
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