ListenTop Tips
Shared at the Supporter Big Day Out on 28 May, at Boulcott’s Farm Heritage Golf Club.
During the day, carers and supporters divided up into four separate groups of 4-5 people. Each group was given a question about how to look after yourself when you are caring for someone else. There was a lot of lively discussion and useful tips which are below. This session was voted the most popular of the day, highlighting how important it is to talk with others and share what works for you.
Please send any other tips to admin@dementiawellington.org.nz and we will add them to the list which can be found on our website.
MAKING TIME FOR ME ?
- Pilates x 2 a week at a set time
- Regular waking with a friend
- My husband is okay to be on his own at the moment, so I do have time for me
- We go dancing together
- I find any excuse to leave the house when I’m not needed
- I work from home so can make time for me then
- I go to a Book Group
HOW DO I GET EXERCISE?
- Walking to the bus stop or the Mall
- I do exercise classes on Youtube
- I listen to a really good Podcast that I like while doing my exercise routine
- I walk to my exercise session
- We walk together, it’s something we both enjoy
- You have to be adaptable and take time when you can
- I have a regular class every Thursday
HOW DO I TRY TO MAKE SURE I GET ENOUGH SLEEP?
- I have started using an app and found it helped me sleep better within a few nights
- I leave the window open a bit, so I have fresh air and the room isn’t too stuffy
- I don’t drink anything from about 7pm so that I don’t have to get up in the night
- I go for exercise during the day and that helps me sleep
- I avoid alcohol and caffeinated drink and any food that I know will keep me awake
- If I can’t sleep, I try to relax by looking out the window, or going for a walk in I can
HOW DO I GET SUPPORT FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS?
- I found reading the book by Wendy Mitchell, What I wish people knew about dementia: From someone who knows, really helpful to understand dementia and talk with people about it
- I socialise with friends from other Dementia Wellington groups; we go out for coffee etc.
- It’s not easy all the time because people don’t understand dementia
