| Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease is | | | | together to discuss what is happening and the future |
| more than a challenge for children of the Alzheimer's | | | | plans for the loved one. |
| patient. The diagnosis of Alzheimer's and the years | | | | Care giving for an Alzheimer patient is demanding and |
| that follow the diagnosis will change the lifestyle of | | | | all consuming of time and emotions. The designated |
| everyone involved. | | | | caregiver must be able to not only deal with the |
| Providing care to a patient with Alzheimer's disease is | | | | day-to-day demands of the Alzheimer patient but |
| one of the most demanding tasks that anyone, even | | | | also must be able to take care of them. |
| professional caregivers face. Alzheimer's patients lose | | | | Family caregivers can sometimes reach beyond their |
| one competency slowly but steadily over time. At | | | | capacity to care for a loved one and will assume |
| the final stages of this disease, these patients are | | | | more responsibility than is possible. Everyone in a care |
| unable to provide any feedback to their caregivers. | | | | giving environment needs constant support to |
| It is imperative for the stability of the family and for | | | | prevent burnout or have to deal with their own |
| the patient that legal, financial and long term care | | | | illness. |
| planning begins soon after this diagnosis. The earlier | | | | Stress, lack of rest, depression and grief all can take |
| that the family understands all aspects of care | | | | their toll on the caregivers for an Alzheimer's patient. |
| arrangements, wills, insurance and more, the more | | | | There are many demands and they continue day and |
| likely the family will be able to handle all aspects of | | | | night. These demands make it difficult if not |
| the wishes of the patient. Some of the aspects of | | | | impossible to maintain a separate life from that of |
| planning that need to be covered include: | | | | the one being cared for. |
| *Financial and legal issues | | | | The physical, financial and emotional toll on family |
| *Patient wishes for end of life care | | | | member is immense. The bill is intended to alleviate |
| *Home safety and socializing | | | | some of that burden. Families who do not fit the |
| *Symptom management by a doctor | | | | stringent criteria for care often have to pay |
| *Exploring outside sources of support with help of a | | | | someone to come into the home. In other families, |
| care manager | | | | temporary nursing home or other facilities are used |
| *Personal care needs and problem behaviors | | | | for temporary care. |
| In the early phase of the illness, facing the diagnosis | | | | One of the most important elements to plan for is |
| and planning the care can provide a bond with your | | | | time away from the day-to day care of a loved one. |
| loved one. You have more time together and each | | | | The family should include ways to relieve the primary |
| of you will appreciate and treasure the time and | | | | caregiver of their responsibilities on a regular basis. |
| closeness. This is the ideal time to bring family | | | | |