Caregiver stress and weight gain

Hello, @blessedinsd I'm Scott and I was forced into early retirement due to my wife's caregiving needs and know my nutrition and weight were issues for me!

My wife went through many eating phases and at first, that was tough since she would ask me to make many of my favorite dishes! Then it shifted over time to the same meal, every day. Mixed veggies, white rice, a boiled chicken breast. That made it easier for me.

One thing I did was rid our kitchen of snacks. I found the stress of caregiving often sent me snacking for a minute break and that was not good for me at all 🙂 I had to banish my beloved M&M peanuts! Another thing I did was begin to weigh myself first thing every morning and use that as a compass for me so I could catch changes quickly.

As the physical demands of caregiving increased (assisting in moving, bathing, up and down, lifting, etc.) and the demands of housekeeping took the place of regular exercise.

How long have you been caregiving, if I may ask?

Strength, Courage, & Peace

Hi Scott, I’ve been caregiving all of my life. We kept my aging mom in our home while working, until she passed in 2019. Then my husband was diagnosed same year as we began to see symptoms. I so relate to the M&Ms and have found Cheetos also to be my go to. I retired early July of 2022 so I could be home to kept my husband safe. He quit his part time job and I began doing all of the driving. I joined the Mayo Clinic diet today to assist in finding new healthy habits. Walking seems to help with stress. We are learning to adjust to retirement. It’s just not how we thought ours would be. Thank you, we are blessed in South Dakota.

Wow I can relate. Been gaining weight since 5 weeks ago when I became my moms main caregiver. I am a Stress eater so it is hard to pass up the sweets

Hi, I posted this previously but it may help you also to suggest a book titled The 36-Hour Day, 6th edition. Originally released 36 years ago, this latest edition continues to provide relevant, practical, and up-to-date advice to those providing care to an individual with memory loss and still serves as the gold-standard care guide for dementia caregivers. If you haven't read it already you might borrow it from your local public library to see if it may have some suggestions for you as well.



The authors describe in detail the changed behaviors a person may show, and suggests plans of action toward dealing with these behaviors to decrease stress in both the caregiver and the person who has dementia. It teaches financial literacy as applied to eldercare. Options such as adult daycare, at-home caregivers, and assisted living are analyzed, empowering the reader to make informed choices.

The authors also discuss the complex emotions that run through the heads of those who have dementia, includes redirection techniques, and emphasizes the importance of patience and empathy with those afflicted. It also enriches understanding of the biological components of memory loss to help one better understand the science of why people with dementia act the way they do. Many caregivers can benefit from the authors' study of the condition and how people can continue to thrive through it.

Thank you so much, I’ll definitely get the book. Although he’s still able to function on a daily basis he is forgetting more and more. I really appreciate the direction so I can maybe help him transition more comfortably.
Thanks again.

Ordered th we book this morning. I’ll download on my Kindle when I get home.
Thanks again,

Sure thing. Glad I could help and hope the book has some good tips for you. I also struggle with stress-related weight gain and don't have sweets or chips the house. Sometimes I even eat too much fruit or nuts. So instead I try to do something else like cleaning, organizing, listening to music or a combination. Take care.