There are now more than five million people in the United States living with Alzheimer’s disease, which is a 10 percent increase from the previous nationwide estimate. With Alzheimer’s disease moving up to the seventh leading cause of death in the country and the fifth leading cause of death for those over 65, more and more Americans are providing care for a loved one suffering from the disease.
Most of us know that the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s is increasing age. With 78 million baby boomers beginning to turn 60 last year, the elderly population in every state is continuing to grow faster than the total population.
The US Census Bureau estimates that the growth in the 65-and- older population will be about 3½ times the growth of the nation as a whole. This trend indicates that by mid-century, the number of people with Alzheimer’s will grow to as many as 16 million, more than the current total population of New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston combined.
For many families, Alzheimer’s care begins and ends at home. Caring for a loved one with the disease is a difficult task even for the most educated, patient, and able-bodied person. Alzheimer’s disease causes people to do things they normally wouldn’t do if they didn’t have the disease.
Caring for Alzheimer’s at Home
Recent medical research indicates the stress associated with caregiving can lead to a weakened immune system and in some cases take years off the family caregiver’s life. Those risks increase when they have to manage caregiving responsibilities while also working or raising a family.
Caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer’s brings unique challenges. In some cases, a loved one can become violent; hitting those who are trying to care for them, but you must remember that they don’t know that they are behaving that way. Nothing the patient does or says should be taken personally.
Another major obstacle of providing Alzheimer’s care at home is that normal household items can become dangerous to those afflicted with the disease. The house should be configured and made safe for the people with the disease in the same way you would safe guard against a small child living in the house. People with Alzheimer’s can cut themselves with kitchen knives, burn themselves on the stove, or they could simply wander outside.
Caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is a huge responsibility. There is a risk of emotional burnout and a decline in health for family caregivers who do not make it a point to take much needed breaks. For many, finding respite care is the best solution.
Basic Considerations When Hiring In-Home Alzheimer’s Care Help
Finding in-home Alzheimer’s assistance can be an overwhelming task. Tackling this need in an organized way is the key to making in-home Alzheimer’s support feasible. The following tips may help your family and caregiver find the help needed.
1. Identify Job Details – Identify the specific functions you expect the help to perform to eliminate confusion. Details such as dressing the client, bathing, and eating need to be addressed. Other considerations include grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning and laundry, as well as transportation. Also share the client’s need for socializing, and companionship.
2. Some questions you should consider asking:
* What did your duties consist of?
* What was your daily schedule?
* What were your responsibilities?
Perhaps the best advice you should come away with is to conduct the search for in-home Alzheimer’s help in a businesslike manner. You will get the best qualified, most professional help in caring for your family.
Outside Agency Help
Most people hope to age safely and comfortably in their own home, including those managing Alzheimer’s. Many Alzheimer’s patients can safely stay in their own home for a period of time, and that’s where organizations like Comfort Keepers can provide in-home care assistance.
Many in-home care providers, like Comfort Keepers, have been formally trained in how to provide in-home care services for Alzheimer’s disease clients. This training includes:
* Assisting the client with dressing and grooming,
* Aiding the client in communication,
* Improving eating habits with healthy meal planning,
* Enhancing home safety by implementing measures to prevent wandering or driving,
* And much needed respite care for family members who may be primary care providers for the Alzheimer’s patient.
Help for Alzheimer’s Home Caregivers
One of the hardest things to do is to watch your loved one slowly slip away. To add to all the stresses of Alzheimer’s home care, this causes emotional, physical, and financial stress. Know what support is available and how to take care of yourself as a caregiver.
There are several things you can do to help alleviate the stress related to Alzheimer’s home care. They include:
* Family support and education – Learn how to adjust to personality changes and know what to expect.
* Get involved with local organizations to learn typical behaviors and how to manage the disease.
* Learn to communicate with an Alzheimer’s patient – Often the Alzheimer’s patient remembers the past more easily than the present. Learn to communicate on a level that is easy for them to understand.
* Use therapeutic activities – Music therapy, former hobbies, pets, and establishing routines can help to alleviate the stress caused by the behavior of an Alzheimer’s patient.
* Good health can help reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer’s – Reducing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s is reliant on good health. Making sure the Alzheimer’s client has a good nutritional diet and gets regular exercise are two of the most important factors for effective home care.
It is estimated that someone in America develops Alzheimer’s every 72 seconds. Help is available for those caring for an individual with the disease. For more information, contact your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter by visiting www.alz.org.
About Comfort Keepers
Comfort Keepers provides non-medical, in-home companion care on an hourly, daily, weekly or live-in basis for individuals needing assistance with activities of daily living. Services are tailored to the individual needs of each client and, in the case of seniors, allow them to continue living safely and in the privacy of their own home. Care duties include companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, transportation for errands and appointments, laundry, recreational activities and more.
Comfort Keepers is independently owned and operated, with offices in the following counties, Clearfield, Cambria, Centre, and Blair. For more information visit www.comfortkeepers.com.
Debbie Baughman and Judy Dixon
Comfort Keepers