JOAN’S WEEKEND BLOG –, AUGUST 14/15, 2010 – PART 1 of the Ten Absolute ‘NEVERS’ for Caregivers

My plan was to list these Ten Commandments for Alzheimer caregivers, which come directly from the Alzheimer’s Association; to write a blog about the effects of certain ones on our spouses’ denial of their problem; and how it affects our relationship in the early stages.

Unfortunately, my plan has been severely hampered by pain medication the doctor gave me yesterday. I am in a stupor, which is fogging my thought processes and writing ability. So while I sit here waiting for the effects to wear off, as I will never take this medication ever again, I am going to simply list the Absolutes, and hope you will think about them over the weekend. By Monday, I should be able to write Part II of the blog, which will elaborate on the issue I take with some of these rules when the spouse with AD is in the early stages. 

             TEN ABSOLUTES FOR CAREGIVERS 

NEVER ARGUE – instead – AGREE

NEVER REASON – instead - DIVERT

NEVER SHAME – instead - DISTRACT

NEVER LECTURE – instead - REASSURE

NEVER SAY ‘REMEMBER’ – instead -REMINISCE

NEVER SAY ‘I TOLD YOU’- instead - REPEAT, REGROUP

NEVER SAY ‘YOU CAN’T’ – instead - SAY “LET’S DO THIS”

NEVER COMMAND/DEMAND – instead – ASK/MODEL

NEVER CONDESCEND – instead – ENCOURAGE/PRAISE

NEVER FORCE – instead - REINFORCE

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The Alzheimer Spouse LLC
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