The Increasing Need for Alzheimer’s Care

When should caregivers hire additional help?

Since the last nationwide estimate, there has been a 10 percent increase of the number of Alzheimer’s patients in the US, bringing the number to over five million people. Alzheimer’s disease has also moved up to the fifth leading cause of death for seniors (people over the age of 65) and the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Due to these rising trends, more individuals are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.

It is common knowledge that the possibility of an individual developing Alzheimer’s increases with age. The baby boomer generation, an estimated 78 million adults, began to turn 60 this past year, causing the elderly population in every state to grow faster than the total population.

The growth in the senior population is projected to be 3½ times the United States full population growth.* By mid-century, the population of Alzheimer’s patients is expected to grow to as many as 16 million people, which is larger than the population of Los Angeles, Houston, New York City and Chicago combined.

Alzheimer’s care begins and ends at home for many families. Caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s can be a challenging task for even an able-bodied, patient, well educated, individual because the disease can cause the sufferer to do things he or she normally would not.

Caring for Alzheimer’s at Home

The stress associated with caregiving has been found by some recent medical research to weaken the caregiver’s immune system, which can take years off of the individual’s life. This danger increases when the caregiver also must manage responsibilities such as raising a family or working.

Unique challenges should be expected when caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s. The family member can become hostile and attack the caregiver in some cases. The caregiver must remember that an individual with Alzheimer’s cannot control their behavior and that nothing the patient says or does should be taken personally.

It is also important to remember that normal household items can be dangerous to Alzheimer’s patients. The house should be set up taking into consideration safety of the Alzheimer’s patient. Things to watch out for:    burning themselves on the stove, wandering outside and getting lost, or cutting themselves with knives.

Taking care of a family member with this disease is a huge responsibility. There is the possibility of the caregiver’s health deteriorating or the caregiver becoming emotionally burnt out if they do not make sure to take breaks when necessary. The best answer for most caregivers is typically in home care assistance or respite care.

Hiring In-Home Alzheimer’s Help – What to Consider

It can very overwhelming task to search for in-home Alzheimer’s assistance. The key to making in-home Alzheimer’s support possible is to remain organized. These tips may assist you in finding the necessary help:

What are Job Details?

What specific functions do you require the help to perform? Details like bathing, feeding, and dressing the individual should be addressed. You may also consider:

• Cooking
• Cleaning
• Transportation
• Shopping
• Laundry
• Socialization and companionship

What Kind of Person Should You Look For?

The individual’s qualifications may be important to you, for example you may need:

• A Home Health Aide
• Someone experienced in handling clients with Alzheimer’s disease
• A certified health care worker
• A licensed driver
• Someone experienced in operating special equipment

Some Questions You May Want To Ask

• What did your duties consist of?
• What was your daily schedule?
• What were your responsibilities?

The best advice one should know before looking for in-home Alzheimer’s help is to search in a businesslike manner. That is the most likely way to receive the most qualified, professional person to help you care for your family.

Help from an Outside Agency

Most individuals wish to age comfortably and safely in their home, this includes Alzheimer’s patients. Many of these patients can stay in their own home for an extended time, and that is where Comfort Keepers® (among other homecare agencies) can offer in-home care assistance.

Comfort Keepers, in Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice as well as other in-home care agencies, have employees that have been trained by local chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association in how to care for Alzheimer’s sufferers. This training involves:

• Enhancing home safety by implementing measures to keep the patient safe from potentially driving or wandering
• Aiding the client in communication
• Assisting the client with grooming or dressing
• Improving eating habits with healthy meal planning
• As well as….extremely important respite care for family members who may be the primary care providers for the Alzheimer’s patient.

Alzheimer’s Home Caregivers Help

It is very hard to watch a family member slip away. On top of the stresses of caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s, it can also cause physical, financial and emotional stress. Find out about available support and how to take care for yourself as you care for your loved ones.

There are many things one can do to decrease the stress caused by caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. These things include:

• Learn to communicate with the Alzheimer’s patient – Typically the Alzheimer’s patient remembers the past more easily than the present. Learn to communicate on a level your loved one can comprehend.
• Good health can help lower the symptoms of Alzheimer’s – Good health is crucial to lowering Alzheimer’s symptoms. Making sure your loved one gets regular exercise and has a nutritional diet are two extremely important factors for effective home care.
• Use therapeutic activities – Former hobbies, music therapy, establishing routines, and enjoying time with pets can help to reduce the stress caused by the Alzheimer’s patient’s behavior.
• Family education and support– Know what to expect by learning how to adjust to personality changes. Get involved with local organizations to learn how to manage the disease and common Alzheimer’s sufferer’s behaviors.

Every 72 seconds it is estimated that someone in the US develops Alzheimer’s. If you are caring for an Alzheimer’s patient support is available. Click Here to contact your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter and learn more.

*Estimated by the US Census Bureau.