10 things I've learned this year in taking care of my husband with dementia:
1. Trust God for the future.
2. Take care of yourself first.
3. Ask for help; or at least, when someone offers, take them up on it.
4. Don't lose contact with your friends - you need them.
5. Make time for fun - find an escape.
6. Take one day at a time.
7. Count to 10 before speaking harshly.
8. Focus on kindness.
9. Give yourself a break and avoid guilt - it doesn't help.
10. Leave the past behind - it can't help you now, it can only hurt.
How do I want to be treated?
This usually helps remind myself that I want to be treated kindly, comforted, respected, gentleness, with patience. I would want someone who has the love of Christ in them and extending that love and grace to me.
This helped me to care for Grandparents who both had Alzheimer's and for my step Dad who had cancer and now my Mom who has had a stroke and some Dementia.