How do you cope with caregiver stress?

I keep a large calendar planner in my purse so I don't overbook my time and appointments. I also have a separate tote with all my mom's medical information in it that I take to all appointments...it has notes on hospitalizations and general check ups, etc. and clipped in the back are lists and maps of where her docs are located. If anything were to happen to me or I was out of town, anybody could 'grab the bag' and go with it. Mom also wears a bracelet that's actually a flash drive with all her medical info on it.

I plan errands, shopping, and appointments so that I can make one round trip and get it all done at once. Once I'm home again I can catch up on paperwork of all kinds, my own chores, and getting dinners ready for everybody. I try to keep the weekends free to do whatever I want whenever I want, however I do clean mom's house while she's at church Sunday mornings so there is no risk of her slipping on a wet floor or tripping over the vacuum :-)

Great ideas--let's keep this going!

What a good idea to start this discussion topic! I'm always looking for new and different ideas to de-stress during this difficult time in life. As for me, I have gotten into the habit of starting my day with a delicious cup of coffee (with Bailey's creamer - yum!) and doing all I can to walk daily. Since one of my hobbies is photography, I take my camera along on my walks and search for interesting and unique things to photograph; I make it my point to never return home without at least a few photos. In the late-evening, I view the photos on my computer, crop them and, occasionally, share them with friends. This simple little technique allows me to focus my attentions on my outdoor environment rather than family problems and, viewing the photos later, lets me relive the walk and enjoy my hobby further. Some other things I do to relax include escaping "into" movies as time permits, reading an occasional book, and tending to plants and enjoying seeing them thrive, e-mailing and "Facebooking" with friends, occasional meditation, and sometimes merely staring out a window to let my mind wander to happier times and daydream.

your responses are so helpful - enough for me to carry out my plan to move him. Thank you so much!

I have just begun caring for my mother and already was feeling the pressure mounting. I had retired early from my job so that I could care for her so it hasn't been that long since I had a structured day. I have created a vague outline for my personal everday schedule and I find that writing down a rough plan, to include care giving, for individual days help. Not every day will be a good day and how I deal with caregiver stress is sure to vary from time to time.

I like the comments and caregiver coping with stress ideas so far. Hugs&kisses suggested some really,good.& helpful ideas. Lets keep the discussion going, and maybe add a new subject. Like how to balance everything when you are a caregiver? I find myself trying to keep up with and memorize more numbers then ever before. Another interesting thing I read was that statistics say that if our family members have a disease like dementia that we become that much more likely to get dementia one day. Why is that? Is it only if you are family of the person with dementia? Even if you are family,,why are you more likely to develop it one day? Great, one more thing we need to think & worry about.
I relize i'm skipping around on topics a bit! Sorry!
A couple months ago I decided to write a cookbook, and now that it's almost fall it seems like the perfect time to start on it. If any of you have some really good family recipes that your willing to share I'd so appreciate it,and it gives us something else to think about. If you share a recipe, and I decide to use it for my book then I would love to send a copy out to anyone that shares a recipe that I use. The cookbook is based on southern foods. So let me know if you want to share, a good recipe!!!
Hugs to all the caregivers today. What a special group of people!!KB

I like to tend my plants, cook, paint some walls, surf the internet looking at beautiful gardens and interior design. I also like to keep an embroidery project going because that is something that can be set aside when there are interruptions and duties calling. I painted my daughter's dresser last week. It took me all week to do it, but it got done! It is very isolating to have to stay close to home but having little projects here and there give me a sense of accomplishment.

Astoria22...you came to this decision because it is too much for you. It is normal to feel the guilt as you are actually doing what you know is the right thing. If you back out now, you will only reach the same conclusion again and carry through with your original plan....so do it now so you don't have to go through this process twice. You have to take care of yourself...do not beat yourself up!

Taking on the roll as a full-time caregiver for your loved one can be extremely stressful coming from experience. There are many things I do to try & relax! I love music! When times get rough I will put on my favorite tunes & cook up a new recipe. Strategic games like words with friends or soduko help me as well! You can't go wrong with a nice relaxing bath, music & light a few nice smelling candles! Taking on a light project like scrapbooking or organizing your photo albums may be nice for you as well as your loved one. You need some "me" time to stay sane. Just know that "the man upstairs" WILL give you strength. I know we have all heard this a million times but God does not give us things we cannot handle. You are stronger than you realize. Good luck & God Bless!

I am moving my husband into a group home tomorrow, which neither one of us wants. My stress is coming out in physical ways, and even though all of my friends encourage me to do it, I am ready to back out. Any suggestions?

I have begun exercising....and I'm a person who "hates" to sweat! But, I have found that it really helps to relieve the stress, and I awake the next day ready to tackle any challenges that I'm faced with...

I hope you guys give some good advice. Dealing with this type of stress, is just that STRESSFUL.(AT LEAST SOMETIMES). This website has just been a wonderful aspect to add to my life as a caregiver. Some days are worse then othes, and on those "worse" days I could use some fresh ideas to cope. We have fall and winter which means we all will be inside much more. We have to not go to stir crazy!!!!!!!!!