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Moving on after final stage Alzheimer's care

From the moment of a loved one's Alzheimer's diagnosis, a caregiver's life is never the same. It can, however, be happy, fulfilling, and healthy again. Replacing lost relationships, using your experience to help others, and gaining new perspective will help your return to normalcy.

Reconnect

* Join a caretakers' bereavement support group. Being with others who know your situation, understand your emotions, and feel your suffering is good medicine.

* Enroll in an adult education class. Find a yoga, Tai-Chi, or Salsa class. Acquiring new skills and staying physically active will promote healing.

* Try a new community. Join a book club, volunteer, or start a neighborhood dine-around group. Your needs to enjoy, laugh, and connect continue after your loved one is gone.

Use your loss

* Create lasting tributes to your loved one. Consider memorial sites, scholarships, plaques, scrapbooks, quilts, art forms, benches and charitable contributions to honor her memory.

* Write a story, create a poem, make a tape. Share your loved one's unique story with family members and other caregivers.

* Become a mentor. Contact your local Alzheimer's Association and ask them to pair you with a brand new caregiver. Use your knowledge to help another.

Gain perspective

* Write your caregiver's resume. List what you have learned and accomplished. By celebrating your considerable skills, you may discover a new avenue for work or expression.

* Keep a journal. Confront your loneliness and allow yourself to see your progress through the healing process.

* Talk to a therapist or grief counselor. Giving yourself permission to find new meaning and relationships can be difficult, but you have earned health and happiness.

Your acts of care and connection sustained your loved one through a long and difficult passage. Taking active steps to explore dreams, nurture yourself, and find creative paths to vitality are now your most important tasks. Sharing what you have learned, cultivating happiness, and finding new meaning build a loving finale to your caregiving journey.