| "I am a Carer". There you go, "straight off | | | | learning care giving skills, you can make |
| the bat" as they say, I write this article | | | | sure that your loved one feels supported and |
| (the first in a series) in my role as a | | | | is living a full life. You can also ensure |
| Primary Carer first and author second. At | | | | that you are taking steps to preserve your |
| present I am the primary carer for my elderly | | | | own well-being. Caring for someone who has |
| mother who is suffering from the advance | | | | Alzheimer's disease or another illness |
| stages of Alzheimer's disease. It is | | | | involving dementia can be very difficult, |
| desperately cruel disease (most are, I know) | | | | time-consuming, and stressful - (serious |
| in that it robs people (by and large) of | | | | understatement here). Here are some more |
| their dignity and their independence at a | | | | things a care giver can do to help the person |
| stage in life when they need it most. In the | | | | with Alzheimer's disease while also reducing |
| United Kingdom, the Alzheimer's Society | | | | the substantial burden that comes with care |
| claimed in a recent survey that over 750,000 | | | | giving: * Stay Informed - Knowledge |
| people suffered from Alzheimer's and related | | | | equals power. The more you know about |
| dementia problems. In the United States it is | | | | Alzheimer's disease or any other signs of |
| calculated that an estimated 4.5 million | | | | dementia, the better you can prepare yourself |
| people suffer from Alzheimer's and that this | | | | to deal with problems that may arise. * |
| figure has doubled since 1980. Further | | | | Share concerns with the person - A person who |
| alarming statistics highlight the fact that | | | | is mildly to moderately impaired can assist |
| it is possible that in the US alone, the | | | | in his/her own care. Memory aides and other |
| number of people suffering from Alzheimer's | | | | strategies can be created by the person with |
| could more than double to between 11.5 and 13 | | | | dementia and the caregiver together. This is |
| million sufferers by 2050. Alzheimer's | | | | easier said than done I know but you have to |
| disease is what is described as a progressive | | | | give it a try. But, and this is a big but (no |
| disorder of the brain that gradually destroys | | | | laughs here please) it is essential that you |
| a persons' memory, ability to learn, reason, | | | | realise that you are probably dealing with a |
| make judgements, communicate and carry out | | | | person who if they have any cognisance at |
| daily activities. As the disease progresses, | | | | all, will be in denial. * Solve problems |
| sufferers may also experience changes in | | | | one at a time - A multitude of problems may |
| their personality and display such | | | | occur that may seem insurmountable at the |
| behavioural changes ranging from anxiety, | | | | time. Work on one specific problem at a time |
| agitation or suspicion right up to and / or | | | | -- you do not have to solve every problem all |
| including delusions and hallucinations | | | | at once. As the saying goes "Success by the |
| Although there is currently no cure for | | | | inch is a cinch, by the yard it's hard" and |
| Alzheimer's, new treatments are on the | | | | in this case this has never been more true. |
| horizon as a result of accelerating insight | | | | * Use your imagination - One of the keys to |
| into the biology of the disease. Research has | | | | handling this disease is your ability to |
| also shown that effective care and support | | | | adapt. If something can't be done one way, |
| can improve quality of life for individuals | | | | try another. For example, if the person only |
| and their caregivers over the course of the | | | | uses his or her fingers for eating, do not |
| disease from diagnosis to the end of life. | | | | keep fighting; just serve as many finger |
| Considering the long term implications for | | | | foods as possible! * Establish an |
| Alzheimer's sufferers, the hidden | | | | environment that encourages freedom and |
| sociological impact will in reality be born | | | | activity within limits Try to create a |
| on the shoulders of those who will be caring | | | | stable, balanced schedule for meals, |
| for the sufferers for it is indeed a | | | | medication, etc. but also encourage |
| bittersweet irony that those who care for the | | | | activities that the patient can handle such |
| sufferers in reality suffer more than the | | | | as taking a walk or visiting an old friend. |
| sufferers do themselves. This fact in itself | | | | Remember, the person with AD is not the only |
| has been largely responsible for another | | | | one whose needs must be taken into |
| survey finding recently and that was the fact | | | | consideration. You as a caregiver have needs |
| that Americans are equally afraid of caring | | | | and desires that must also be met. First, try |
| for someone who has Alzheimer's as much as | | | | and find some time for yourself. Even though |
| they are of developing the disease | | | | this suggestion may seem like an |
| themselves. Approximately 1 in 2 American | | | | impossibility, find some time during the week |
| adults are more apprehensive of caring for | | | | where you can have someone else watch the |
| partner or loved one who has developed | | | | patient -- be it a relative, friend, or |
| Alzheimer's. Just less than 1 in 5 American | | | | neighbour -- and do something for yourself. |
| adults have indicated that they are more | | | | * Avoid social isolation - Keep up contacts |
| afraid of getting the disease themselves | | | | with friends and relatives. It's easy to get |
| (17%). The real problem from a carer's | | | | burned out when it seems like you have no one |
| perspective is that no two people experience | | | | to turn to. Another way to establish contacts |
| Alzheimer's disease in the same way. As a | | | | is by joining the Alzheimer's Association or |
| result, there's no one approach to care | | | | other such support groups. Talking with other |
| giving. Your care giving responsibilities can | | | | families who share many of the very same |
| range from making financial decisions, | | | | problems can be reassuring as it helps you |
| managing changes in behaviour, to helping a | | | | know you are not alone in your |
| loved one get dressed in the morning. | | | | round-the-clock struggles. |
| Handling these duties is hard work. But by | | | | |