By Jessie Helmbright, PMHNP
Dementia is a neurological disease that worsens with time and impacts thinking, memory, and behavior. It is very taxing on sufferers and their relatives. Although the patient’s well-being is frequently the main priority, caregivers’ mental health—especially that of family members—must also be taken into consideration. This blog post examines the typical mental health issues that family of dementia patients deal with and provides PMHNP-BCs with tools to support their wellbeing.
Typical Mental Health Issues
Grief and Loss: For families, receiving a dementia diagnosis frequently means experiencing a major loss. As the illness worsens, they could feel saddened by the loss of the person they knew before symptoms appeared and by the thought of more losses to come. Feelings of melancholy, emptiness, and despair may result from this.
Stress and Anxiety: Providing care for a person suffering from dementia can be emotionally and physically taxing. Families may be under a lot of stress because of the ongoing caregiving responsibilities, financial hardship, and future uncertainty. Anxiety, stress, and trouble focusing can be signs of this.
Depression: Depression risk may be raised by the emotional strain of caring for a loved one with dementia. A continuous sense of despair, helplessness, and disinterest in activities are some symptoms.
Guilt and Shame: If caregivers see that they are become irritated or impatient with the patient, they may feel guilty or ashamed. They could also experience shame for not being able to offer the degree of care they think is required.
Social Isolation: Providing care for a person with dementia might result in social isolation. Because providing care requires a lot of time and energy, families may find it challenging to keep up connections or engage in social activities.
Burnout: Extended periods of stress and a lack of assistance can exacerbate burnout in caregivers. Physical tiredness, mental anguish, and a feeling of being overburdened are some manifestations of this.
Techniques for PMHNP-BCs to Provide Family Support
Validation and Empathy: PMHNP-BCs ought to approach families with understanding and empathy. Reassure them that their experiences and feelings are valid and that it’s okay for them to feel the way they do.
Evaluation and Prognosis: To determine whether there are any mental health issues and to establish a precise diagnosis, do a complete assessment. This will guarantee that families receive the right assistance and help direct treatment planning.
Psychotherapy: Provide family, couple, or individual therapy to assist families in managing their feelings and creating useful coping mechanisms. CBT, or cognitive-behavioral therapy, is very beneficial when treating negative thought patterns and behaviors.
Education: Educate families about dementia and its course so they can make plans for the future and know what to anticipate. Put families in touch with support networks or other services so they won’t feel as alone.
medicine Management: If necessary, take into account writing a prescription for medicine to treat anxiety, depression, or sleeplessness. But it’s crucial to consider both the possible advantages and disadvantages of medicine, and to collaborate with families to create a thorough treatment plan.
Self-Care: To lower stress and preserve their personal wellbeing, families should be urged to give self-care activities first priority. This could be engaging in hobbies, exercising, practicing relaxation techniques, or socializing with loved ones.
Investigate your alternatives for respite care to provide families a break from their caregiving duties. This can enhance general wellbeing and help avoid burnout.
Conclusion
Families of dementia patients’ mental health is a serious problem that needs care and assistance. PMHNP-BCs can be very helpful in assisting families in navigating this trying period and preserving their own well-being by comprehending the typical difficulties faced by caregivers and putting into practice practical techniques.
References
- Alzheimer’s Association. (2023). Dementia. https://www.alz.org/
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (2023). Caregiver Support. https://www.nami.org/your-journey/family-members-and-caregivers/
- National Institute on Aging. (2023). Alzheimer’s Disease. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia
