Posted on local election day, 6/2/20
Howdy all! Happy Taco Tuesday!! And a happy day 82 of not getting to visit our loved ones in the nursing home/assisted living facility (hence Shawshank Day #s). I understand their rationale, mind you. I don’t fault them for it at all, given that at least a quarter of all deaths have originated in nursing homes and similar facilities. (Granted DNR orders have contributed to blowing up these numbers dramatically, but that really isn’t important in the statistic because their lives matter as much as the school child.) Things will be better soon, I just know it. Until then, Cabin fever for many.
Cabin fever (and its sister concept social isolation), are ways of life for many of us these days, to an extent, because of the pandemic. While Missouri has lightened the restrictions somewhat, there are still many restrictions on daily living in place. Add to this the “peaceful” protests appearing throughout and it is a wonder anyone leaves their homes these days…except we were made to do so. I was stuck in my house nearly all week last week, but could have left if needed. Just that period left me with a mild case of cabin fever. Now imagine being in a nursing home lock down with no family allowed to visit and it is easy to see the hopelessness and desperation of many.
Here are some thoughts to use to stay busy in these challenging lockdown days:
- Exercise– There are countless exercise programs online. Just a quick scan of YouTube will net you a lifetime of indoor exercise programs. Consult your doctor as needed when starting an exercise program, but do it. It will help. No sense growing another chin from COVID-19…
- Oh yes, and eat right– Eating junk foods, excessive alcohol, and a generally unhealthy diet will not help and may make you unhealthy enough to not feel like being productive. Downward spiral ensues…
- Sleep, too!– Get some sleep. Cabin fever would seem like it would lend itself to sleeping more, but it certainly isn’t always the case. Get in a routine similar to your normal, outside-based one. Get up and eat, take a shower, and start your day. Laying around and sleeping in only short bursts will make the cabin fever even worse.
- Fresh air– Get out and do some gardening or go for a walk. If you need respite help, contact the Alzheimer’s Association or your local Area Agency on Aging for some short-term help and get outside, even if for an hour. If you are unable to get out, at least open the house up a little and find a sunny corner when possible.
- Hobby– Staying busy when options are limited can be hard. Pick up a hobby, if possible and practical in your role. Painting, music, and learning a foreign language stimulate the brain and have been shown to fight off dementia in some ways. Keep your mind busy and the rest of you won’t be bored. 🙂
- Find ways to connect– For all of the bad things about social media, there are good things too. Leverage social media and communication tools like Zoom to “visit” loved ones and stay in touch. If you need help with these tools, email me at mark.applegate@senioragemo.org or call me at 417-955-2513 and leave a message and I will call you and assist. Most of these tools are quite easy after you have broken the ice and tried them out.
- Support Groups– Once you have figured out Zoom or similar products, the rest will be easier since they are all similar. Find a caregiver support group and participate. Mine is the 3rd Tuesday evening of the month and I would be happy to have you at mine. Alz.org has a list of groups meeting virtually while we wait on being able to meet again in person.
- TV in moderation– TV is great. I get it. I watch Bones these days on Netflix and have fully binged many a series. However, limit your TV intake. If you depend too much on it to break the cabin fever blues, it will let you down. If it isn’t the dreaded Show Hole- that feeling you have after finishing a season and waiting on the next season…or finishing an entire show and being bummed out–it is the 24 hour news cycle that will wear you out!!!! Have a little screen time, but don’t let it consume you.
- Read– Read ya some Digital Cornbread…but read some happier stuff too. Brain food helps break the blues. Memorize some Bible while you are at it. 🙂 You CAN do it. You can sing the Brady Bunch Theme song…you can memorize scripture if you choose to.
- Plan– Plan for the future. The pandemic, the social unrest, and the rest…it will end. Plan to hit the ground running in self-improvement and service.
- Write it down– Take some time to write down the stories of old. Documenting the past of your loved one may make you emotional, but it will also remind you of the good times and give you new energy to continue the fight. Get out the old photos. Watch some home movies. Revel in the past and embrace the good.
I hate being alone and bored..I really do. I know where you are and appreciate all of you who have dealt with it for years. You are truly an inspiration.
#EndALZ
Update: Nothing new with mom. She slept through my video chat with her…try again tomorrow.
