Victoria Television Group 3808 N. Navarro
Victoria, TX 77901
Phone: 361 575-2500
Fax: 361 575-2255
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Caregivers
Written by Lacey Harris
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
TWICE A WEEK, LIZ SCHANTZ PAYS A VISIT TO HER MOTHER-IN-LAW AT AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY. YOU REMEMBER THESE? YOU TOOK THESE PICTURES. I DID? YOU DID. 89-YEAR OLD ADELE SCHANTZ HAS LATE STAGE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE. THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION ESTIMATES THERE ARE 10 MILLION AMERICANS CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH THE CONDITION. MANY OF THEM ARE LIKE LIZ, FULL TIME PARENTS OF YOUNGER CHILDREN WHO ALSO LOOK AFTER THEIR MOTHER, FATHER OR IN-LAWS. WHAT WE SEE VERY OFTEN THE PATIENTS REALLY AREN'T FULLY AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON, IT'S THE FAMILY THAT SUFFERS AND AGONIZES OVER THIS. THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION REPORTS MANY CAREGIVERS EXPERIENCE HIGH LEVELS OF STRESS. THE GROUP TELLS CAREGIVERS TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES ABOUT THE DISEASE AND FIND OUT WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE. FIND WAYS TO MANAGE STRESS AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN BODIES BY EATING WELL, EXERCISING AND GETTING PLENTY OF REST. IN LIZ'S CASE SHE'S ALSO TRYING TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR HER CHILDREN. I HOPE, YOU KNOW, WHEN IT'S MY TURN THEY'LL BE RIGHT THERE WAITING TO TAKE CARE OF ME, TOO.