Overcoming Frustration: Caregivers

Aired on Lifetime Television
Sunday, July 29 and September 16, 2007
Show 418

Caring for a loved one with a memory disorder can be very frustrating. Mostly, because he or she doesn't understand there's a problem. Sometimes controlling that anger and irritation can be difficult. Oneatha, a care giver for her 78-year-old mother who has dementia, says "It's hard to control my frustrations when she is insisting that she's a hundred percent and you're trying your best to do for her." Daily activities, even things like dealing with finances can become difficult for the care giver and for their loved one. "Oh, money is the number one issue. She wants to take care of her money and she really should not be doing it by herself," says Oneatha. Dr. Jamie Huysman says meetings at Leeza's Place can be a helpful tool to teach care givers the difference between the loved one and the medical condition. "And you have to separate those two to actually alleviate some of this frustration."