One common experience of caregivers is that they often feel they’ve lost their senses of humor. The seriousness of their loved ones’ conditions, coupled with the stresses of providing constant care, can wear caregivers down so dull that they feel incapable of levity or experiencing laughter. Indeed, even a quick look at some the less than rosy situations and the facts they face on a daily basis can seem to provide justification for holding such attitudes.
However, such an attitude should be avoided as much as possible, as both you and your loved one likely have limited time together. As such, it’s important to remember to spend it in ways that bring as much joy and happiness into your lives as possible. While you obviously don’t want to ignore reality or pretend feeling happy when you’re obviously not—such behavior can be extremely counterproductive, you do want to make sure you keep a sense of humor about you and remember what those things that make you and your loved one laugh.
Whether you laugh at stand-up comics from a DVD you’ve rented or whether funny jokes that you’ve collected from the internet, you’ll quickly recognize the value of humor, as you and your loved one lose yourself for a moment or two over something humorous. Truly, remembering how to laugh and remember how to share that laughter with a loved one can do much for improving the lives of those of us who’ve been affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
