Caring for a loved one who is ill can be very stressful, especially if that loved one has memory loss.

We may find that we have little time to take care of our own needs because we are so consumed by the demands of care giving. We may not only be under increased physical strain but definitely under more mental and emotional strain.

Long-term stress can not only make us sick but can also shorten our life. To be a good caregiver for as long as we possibly can, we need to take care of ourselves first. As caregivers we are already dealing with guilt and add more guilt by putting our own needs at the top of the priority list. We cannot be reluctant to take care ourselves or we will not be there to take care of those we love.

More than 80 percent of caregivers who work with Alzheimer’s patients report they experience high levels of stress, and nearly half say they suffer from depression.

Warning signs of caregiver stress: Denial, anger, social withdrawal, anxiety, depression, exhaustion, sleeplessness, irritability, lack of concentration, health problems. If a caregiver is experiencing several of these symptoms, consult a physician.

Ways to reduce stress:

• Know what resources are available.

• Become educated about Alzheimer’s disease or the disease of your loved one.

• Get help from friends, family and community resources.

• Take care of yourself by eating well, exercising and getting plenty of rest.

• Manage your stress by using relaxation techniques.

• Give yourself credit for what you have accomplished.

Please join our Memory Loss Support Group the third Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. at the Senior Center. You may also benefit from meeting with the Family Memory Care Consultant. Call Annie at 433-3462.

Upcoming Events

Monday: Blood Pressure Checks, 9 a.m.; Naps, 9:30 a.m.; cards, 12:30 p.m.; Pinochle and Bridge.

Tuesday: Silver Sneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; cards, 12:30 p.m., Pinochle and Duplicate Bridge, SilverSneakers, 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.;   Card, 12:30 p.m., Pinochle and

Cribbage Tournament; Duplicate Bridge; Stitching Bees, 1 p.m.;

open chess, 1 p.m.

Thursday: SilverSneakers 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie Anderson, 9 a.m.; Caregivers Support Group, 10:30 a.m.; Cards and Pinochle, 12:30 p.m.; Bingo, 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.; SilverSneakers, 4:30 p.m.

Friday: Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; cards 12:30 p.m.; Bridge Tournament.

Card Results

Tuesday Afternoon Bridge

July 5, six tables

1st Joan Bachynsky, 1st Jim Fisher; 2nd Dave Solomonson, 2nd Millie Sieve, 2rd Dave Ring, 2rd Lorem Cleland, 3rd Ray and Gail Schmidt, 3rd Steve Howard, 3rd Vande Neuman

Friday Bridge

Tournament results for July 8, four tables

1st Joanne Maxfield, 2nd Loretta Nelson, 3rd Betty Jorgenson, 4th Quentin Fiala, 5th Pat Swenson, 6th Harriet Oldenburg

Pinochle

Hilton Henschen

Friday Cribbage

Tourn. result July 8, one table

1st  Loretta Prantner, 2nd Jessie Swain

Tuesday Afternoon “500”

Tourn. results for July 8, four tables.

1st Willard Ballantyne, 2nd Lois Anderson, 3rd Beulah Luthe, 4th Helen Broitzman

Weekly Cribbage

Tourn. Result for July 6, three tables

1st Quenin Fiala, 2nd Lottie Seira, 3rd John Allen, 4th Mable Vaale

Weekly “500”

Tourn. Results for July 5, five tables

1st  Eddie Hall, 2nd Helen, Broitzman, 3rd Dorothy Stern

4th Arnold Bergstrom

Semcac Daily Meals

Monday: Chicken broccoli bake Tuesday: Swiss steak

Wednesday: Roast turkey

Thursday: Meatloaf

Friday: Baked ham. Alternate: Cod