How Yoga helps Mental Health & Dementia
Dementia - A Carer’s perspective
“The hardest thing?.... well everything is hard”, she says when asked what is her greatest obstacle for caring for her husband of 30 years with advanced dementia.With our ageing society, dementia and its flow-on impact upon Carers, is becoming more prevalent. There are more than 413,106 Australians living with dementia 1 and worldwide there are more than 46.8 million people with dementia today and 131.5 million predicted by 2050 2. The total estimated worldwide costs of dementia were US$818 billion in 2015 2.
Although dementia is regarded as "a progressive decline in a person’s functioning" 3 , a student said of his Mother: “It was difficult dealing with the shock of the sudden deterioration. Deep sadness was my biggest emotion with the speed and extent of the change and now on a daily basis accepting the deterioration in quality of her life, is just heart-breaking.”
My personal interviews of Carers as caregivers to their loved ones, shows the impact that flows-on from dementia, a disease that is impacting everyone from the individual to the Carer, to our society. Dementia is the single greatest cause of disability in older Australians (aged 65 years or older) 4 and Dementia is the second leading cause of death of Australians 5.. If dementia were a country, it would be the world’s 18th largest economy 2
What is Dementia
Dementia is the term used to describe the symptoms of a large group of illnesses which cause a progressive decline in a person’s functioning. It is a broad term used to describe a loss of memory, intellect, rationality, social skills and physical functioning. There are many types of dementia including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia and dementia with Lewy Bodies. Dementia can happen to anybody, but it is more common after the age of 65. 3
Independence to dependence
The stress of caring for a loved one with dementia can take a toll on the Carer. As the sufferer no longer has the ability to perform tasks that were once taken for granted, their loved one takes on those roles. In doing so, the nature of the relationship changes significantly and a loss of independence for both of them often causes much frustration. The relationship changes from a partnership and interdependence to a dependent one. A fun, adventurous and loving connection can change to an administrative and task orientated relationship with dementia. “She is so focused on her medication now”, a Carer said of his mother.Some sufferers can appear to be more demanding, “I am unable to leave my husband for more than a few hours, as he becomes very anxious and fears being left alone” said one wife, as they attach themselves very heavily to their main Carer. This can present a challenge for the Carer to have their own time. Frustration arises in the changing relationship “the most stress is dealing with all the details of managing third parties, all the tasks they can no longer perform by themselves”, commented a son in his new role as Power of Attorney of his Mother’s estate.Carers uniformly said: “Everyday is stressful, you do the best you can.”
Preventative medicine
With the potentially hereditary component and the link to autoimmune disease 6 , preventative measures for the Carer have been important to keep positive about their own health, “I’m very focused on diet and keeping my body and mind active. Daily meditation and yoga, and trying to find time for some relaxation has been a game changer in how I care for my Mother and keep myself in good shape.” said a Carer living with an autoimmune disorder.The Carer's loss of emotional support from their partner with dementia, can be very isolating. Joining the supportive weekly meditation group “enabled me to connect with others” and feel I wasn't alone, said one sufferer’s wife.
How Yoga, meditation & breathing helps Carers
“Yoga and meditation helps to me switch off from the intensity of caring. My ability to focus on the pose depends on how Mum has been that day” commented a student.“My caring life is much easier with meditation, I found it relaxes me and I have my own time”.Carers all commented that they found “the breath the most powerful tool to keep them in the moment, to remain compassionate, patient and respectful”, in their demanding caring roles.“The Yogic deep breathing is most helpful”, because of the stress and worry with the caring for her husband as “it helps to relax me”.Caring for a loved one often has the added challenge of the Carer themselves dealing with their own health concerns. This can put an additional strain on the relationship. “My morning routine of Yoga and meditation is the “my time” for physical activity and quietness, that helps me balance my day”, said a busy office professional managing his own health concerns, caring role and fledgling career.
Returning to BalanceThese are some of the tips I give my Wholistic Coaching clients who are full-time Carers:
Time for Yourself. Find something they enjoy doing outside of the home and for themselves each week. Such as going out for a “cuppa” with friends, sewing or Men’s shed (woodwork for men), many come to Yoga or Meditation to be part of a positive and connective group.
Ask for help. Get support from local agencies to help with their loved one’s care needs and get involved in programs to educate and support themselves.
Accept help. Say yes to others offers to supply a cooked meal, drive to appointments, clean the house etc.
Join a support group. Meet with other Carers, or a find a like-minded group that makes you smile, laugh or sing!
Keep active. Do an activity that helps to reduce stress and take your mind off worrying about the person you are caring for, such as walking, swimming, bowling, cycling or Yoga!
Contact me to get the support you need to achieve your goals and be happy & healthy: gabrielle@bebliss.com.auReferences: (main Article)1 The National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling NATSEM (2016) Economic Cost of Dementia in Australia 2016-20562 Alzheimer’s Disease International (2015) World Alzheimer Report 2015: The Global Impact of Dementia - an Analysis of Prevalence, Incidence, Cost and Trends3 https://www.fightdementia.org.au/files/NATIONAL/documents/Key-facts-and-statistics.pdf4 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2012) Dementia in Australia5 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2015) Causes of Death, Australia, 2015 (cat. no. 3303.0)6 Michael Goldacre, University of Oxford, Study of autoimmune disorders & dementia, 1999 to 2012.