Caregivers, Cafes, and Curcumin

Cheering for the Caregivers

This week I am applauding all the unsung caregivers in the world. Each day these angels perform tasks that are out of the ordinary for the general population.

They deal with challenging activities of daily living like bathing, managing meals and feedings, medications, incontinence, diapers, dentures, dressing, transferring, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and severe behavioral problems.

Their freedom, choices, and health are often compromised. Many give up jobs and other pursuits. Most of them are unpaid.

In addition, many are caring for other family. Thirty percent of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia caregivers have children under  eighteen-years old living with them (Alzheimer’s Caregiving Facts and Figures) adding to the strain.

It’s not a job for the faint-hearted.

But who cares for the caregiver?

Kudo’s to the ingenious creatives who are looking for ways to ease the caregivers burden.

Here are a few examples:

• Caring for the Caregiver Conference
• Caregiver magazines
• Caregiver Websites
• Memory and Alzheimer’s café
• This Café
• Memories in the Making

You know who else cares for caregivers?

You.

You knew I was going to say that, didn’t you?

Caregivers are gems. But, they are people with needs, too.

If you know that a neighbor (or friend or family member) is housebound because they are caring for someone, give them a break by volunteering to sit with their loved one for an afternoon. Wash their dishes. Clean the bathroom. Change the smoke alarm batteries. You just may save their life.

Curcumin to the rescue

And while you’re at it, whip up this Moroccan Chicken recipe for them.

It is made with curcumin which has been shown to destroy the plaques which cause Alzheimer’s. Some people aren’t a fan of spicy dishes and I’m not sure how much of the spice you really need to make a difference but it can’t hurt. (Unless you are allergic.)

If they don’t care for the taste, just don’t use much.

Luckily, Japanese researchers are hoping to develop an atomizer that generates a curcumin aerosol.

There are many more ways you can help a caregiver.

• Grocery shopping
• Rides to the doctor or the library or church
• Provide meals
• Walking a pet
• Home maintenance
• Laundry
• Chores
• Snow shoveling
• Lawn care
• Mail and package delivery

Another way is to just ask them what they need. They may just need some company. So, step out of your comfort zone and lend a helping hand. Be a helper to the caregiver.

These are just a few ideas. Can you think of other ways to encourage a caregiver?