How long has it been since you've distanced yourself from caregiving long enough to decide what is good for you? How long has it been since you've had guilt-free breaks from the needs of others, so that you can actually relax? How long has it been since you asked for help - hired or volunteer - so that you can be your own person for just a bit of time?

Too, long, I suspect. This is a new year, which makes it a good time psychologically for an attitude adjustment on your part. Changing your attitude toward your caregiving responsibilities doesn't mean that you don't love the person you are caring for as much as ever. Changing your attitude may even be evidence, once you think about it, of the depth of your love.

An often asked question from adult children and caregiving spouses is "how can I get my parents, or spouse, to bathe and change clothes?" I hear this question so much that one thing is certain - you aren't alone in your dilemma. There are several things to look at with hygiene problems, some of which have to do with the caregiver's expectations.

The fact that many elders don't get around to bathing or changing clothes, common as it is, may not be a health issue. It's certainly a social issue, however, and it's one caregivers are acutely aware of.

A recent Huffington Post article on what we've learned about Alzheimer's disease during the last 30 years caught my eye because it's easy to think there's been no progress. We can't reliably prevent the disease, though lifestyle seems to work into the prevention strategy for many health ills. We can't cure the disease, though we have some medications available that can slow the progression of cognitive decline in some individuals. So where is the progress?

Progress starts with awareness

We just closed out National Alzheimer's Awareness Month, an awareness campaign that we now take for granted. However, according to the article, it wasn't until 1982 that Ronald Reagan declared an official "Alzheimer's Awareness" week. We now also have World Alzheimer's Awareness month during September, and World Alzheimer's Awareness Day on Sept. 21. So, progress has been made in awareness of the disease. This awareness translates into research, better understanding and care of individuals who have dementia, and much more support and information for the family caregivers who provide the backbone of Alzheimer's and dementia care.

Decades ago, my grandmother received monthly vitamin B12 shots from the home health nurse. It was common knowledge, even then, that as people age they don't absorb vitamin B12 well. Low B12 levels can cause pernicious anemia, which was my grandmother's problem. However, low B12 levels can cause many other illnesses, as well.

A recent article by Jane Brody in the New York Times highlights the fact that B12 can cause dementia symptoms. Brody's article uses the example of an elderly woman who was prescribed drugs given to people with Alzheimer's disease. Fortunately, the doctor had the good sense to check for low B12 levels, as well, and prescribed the vitamin.

Caregiving expert Carol Bradley Bursack, Author, speaker and columnist, presents a collection of articles, stories, news and research for you to browse. Please check the blog and Web site links for more information and feel free to email Carol at carol@mindingourelders.com to chat or ask questions. Minding Our Elders is a registered trademark.

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