As The Primary Caregiver, Should I Journal My Feelings About Alzheimer's Disease?


Being a caregiver is stressful and difficult. It involves contradictory feelings, thoughts and frustrations. When you have to care for a loved one who has Alzheimer's, you have to be patient, talk with a calm voice and never "talk down" to your loved one.

Journaling your thoughts and feelings will definitely help you cope with the situation. Write in your journal all that comes through your mind and your heart; nobody but you will read it. It is between you and your journal. Let your pen guide you through the pages. You may want to do some extra research on Alzheimer's disease to better understand the process and stages your loved one will pass through. If you are a little bit knowledgeable about the disease, the process of caring will be easier on both you and your loved one.

You can keep daily notes on your loved one, such as bathing or eating changes, whether she becomes agitated, and so on. It can also help you remember things to discuss with the doctor.

The good thing about a journal is that it is handy and you can write whenever you feel like it, day or night. It will never contradict you. On the contrary, it will aid you in dealing with your internal emotions; it will relieve your mind and your soul. If you are uncomfortable about writing, then it may be easier for you to express your feelings by recording them on a tape recorder. If you like, you can recall some family gathering you all had together, a camping trip or fishing trip where your loved one caught a BIGGGGG fish! You can read this part to him and it might trigger some memory in your loved one?a memory that was lost to Alzheimer's.

Journaling will also help you release the burden of care giving you may have. Releasing the burden through the pen will definitely ease the pain. But journaling should not be the only way out for these strong feelings you have. You may want to enroll in a support group. You can check through the Alzheimer's Association if there is such a group in you area. Speaking to other people will help in getting all these negative emotions out. And most of the participants are dealing with exactly the same emotions because they have to care for a loved one who has dementia. Sometimes, speaking out loud and getting out these feelings will do you a lot of good and you will feel much better after. You may even make friends through these groups, friends that will be able to support you as time goes on.

Remember, you are not alone. You have friends and family to talk to. Maybe you can ask a family member to help with your loved one. It will ease the burden and give you more time to yourself, to journal and to recharge your batteries.

About The Author

William G. Hammond, JD is a nationally known elder law attorney and founder of The Alzheimer's Resource Center. He is a frequent guest on radio and television and has developed innovative solutions to guide families who have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's.


More Resources

The Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease


Alzheimer's Disease is a disease that impairs the brain and causes memory loss, particularly in the elderly. What in effect happens is that nerve cells in the brain die manifesting itself with symptoms of memory loss. Nerve cells are crucial to the process of recall. Although the disease develops slowly it will eventually lead to death. Alzheimer's disease is the 9th most common cause of death for those who are 65 years old or more. It is worth noting that the average time from diagnosis till death is approximately 8 years, although some suffers have lived for 20 years, before the disease leads to death.

Alzheimer's Disease and Music Therapy


Activities for Alzheimers patients will often depend on the stages of Alzheimer's disease that the person is at. Alzheimer disease and music therapy are now used in many cases with some amazing results. One of the most remarkable things about this sad disease is the joy and comfort that Alzheimer's disease and music therapy can bring, my late Gran suffered from Alzheimer's in her latter years and my Dad used to always play some old songs on a Wednesday night.

New Brain Health Roadmap Announced


On June 10th something wonderful happened, and the media hasn't paid much attention yet. On that day, the National Public Health Road Map to Maintaining Cognitive Health was released by the CDC and the Alzheimer's Association. IN this article, I want to first share with you the 10 top actions proposed by this report, and then provide a quick glossary to explain the key words that you will hear more and more when discussing brain health.

Caring For Parents With Alzheimer's Disease


Alzheimer's disease directly affects about four million people in the United States, though it affects many more of us indirectly. While we may not be suffering from the disease personally, many of us are in a position where it has become necessary to care for someone with Alzheimer's.

Therapy Pets Prove Soothing to People With Alzheimer's


The recent win of Diamond Jim, an English Springer spaniel, at the Westminster Kennel Club's annual top dog competition in New York City brought attention to an increased calling for select pets across the country; serving as therapy dogs for people with Alzheimer's and other disabling ailments. The dog, commonly called James, is retiring from the show world to live the life of a therapy dog. James and his human partner have already worked with people with Alzheimer's, proving a soothing presence in nursing homes where they visit.

Helpful and Fun Activities For Patients With Alzhemier's Disease


If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer's Disease or even someone living with this disease there are some easy and fun activities that you can do to help ward off the effects of Alzheimer's disease. These activities will help to keep your brain active, flexible and alert.

Alzheimers Info To Make Your Life Easier


Probably one of the most difficult things you'll every have to do, is care for someone with Alzheimers. The reality that the person with Alzheimers is likely very close to you, only makes the task more challenging. Being armed with as much Alzheimers info as possible, and knowing where you can turn to if you need more help or information can make a world of difference. Being someone who cares for another human being puts you into a category with a high degree of burnout. It can be a stressful, thankless job. You need to stack the odds in your favor as much as possible.

Heavy Metal Anchors Alzheimer's in Your Brain


Heavy metals and aluminum are in every part of our environment and food. These elements are deadly and you will benefit if you are aware of what they do where they come from.

Signs of Alzheimer's Disease


As most of us grow older, it's normal to fear the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Millions of people around the globe suffer from its affects daily and since it is a disease that is so closely associated with growing older, it's natural to think that it is going to happen to you, especially if you have a family history of Alzheimer's in your family. There are signs of Alzheimer's disease that you can watch out for.

Do Elevated Homocysteine Levels Increase Risk For Alzheimer's Disease?


A natural amino acid called homosysteine has recently been linked to several age related diseases. Some researchers believe it may also be linked to the onset of Alzheimer's Disease.

Custom Search

More Alzheimer's Articles:

Related Articles

The Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease


Alzheimer's Disease is a disease that impairs the brain and causes memory loss, particularly in the elderly. What in effect happens is that nerve cells in the brain die manifesting itself with symptoms of memory loss. Nerve cells are crucial to the process of recall. Although the disease develops slowly it will eventually lead to death. Alzheimer's disease is the 9th most common cause of death for those who are 65 years old or more. It is worth noting that the average time from diagnosis till death is approximately 8 years, although some suffers have lived for 20 years, before the disease leads to death.

Alzheimer's Disease and Music Therapy


Activities for Alzheimers patients will often depend on the stages of Alzheimer's disease that the person is at. Alzheimer disease and music therapy are now used in many cases with some amazing results. One of the most remarkable things about this sad disease is the joy and comfort that Alzheimer's disease and music therapy can bring, my late Gran suffered from Alzheimer's in her latter years and my Dad used to always play some old songs on a Wednesday night.

New Brain Health Roadmap Announced


On June 10th something wonderful happened, and the media hasn't paid much attention yet. On that day, the National Public Health Road Map to Maintaining Cognitive Health was released by the CDC and the Alzheimer's Association. IN this article, I want to first share with you the 10 top actions proposed by this report, and then provide a quick glossary to explain the key words that you will hear more and more when discussing brain health.

Caring For Parents With Alzheimer's Disease


Alzheimer's disease directly affects about four million people in the United States, though it affects many more of us indirectly. While we may not be suffering from the disease personally, many of us are in a position where it has become necessary to care for someone with Alzheimer's.

Therapy Pets Prove Soothing to People With Alzheimer's


The recent win of Diamond Jim, an English Springer spaniel, at the Westminster Kennel Club's annual top dog competition in New York City brought attention to an increased calling for select pets across the country; serving as therapy dogs for people with Alzheimer's and other disabling ailments. The dog, commonly called James, is retiring from the show world to live the life of a therapy dog. James and his human partner have already worked with people with Alzheimer's, proving a soothing presence in nursing homes where they visit.

Helpful and Fun Activities For Patients With Alzhemier's Disease


If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer's Disease or even someone living with this disease there are some easy and fun activities that you can do to help ward off the effects of Alzheimer's disease. These activities will help to keep your brain active, flexible and alert.

Alzheimers Info To Make Your Life Easier


Probably one of the most difficult things you'll every have to do, is care for someone with Alzheimers. The reality that the person with Alzheimers is likely very close to you, only makes the task more challenging. Being armed with as much Alzheimers info as possible, and knowing where you can turn to if you need more help or information can make a world of difference. Being someone who cares for another human being puts you into a category with a high degree of burnout. It can be a stressful, thankless job. You need to stack the odds in your favor as much as possible.

Heavy Metal Anchors Alzheimer's in Your Brain


Heavy metals and aluminum are in every part of our environment and food. These elements are deadly and you will benefit if you are aware of what they do where they come from.

Signs of Alzheimer's Disease


As most of us grow older, it's normal to fear the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Millions of people around the globe suffer from its affects daily and since it is a disease that is so closely associated with growing older, it's natural to think that it is going to happen to you, especially if you have a family history of Alzheimer's in your family. There are signs of Alzheimer's disease that you can watch out for.

Do Elevated Homocysteine Levels Increase Risk For Alzheimer's Disease?


A natural amino acid called homosysteine has recently been linked to several age related diseases. Some researchers believe it may also be linked to the onset of Alzheimer's Disease.