Women. We are most often the caregivers. Many of us find ourselves in what has been termed "the sandwich generation". When any of are caring for a person with Alzheimer's, it can take it's toll. The book titled "The 36 Hour Day" (about being the caretaker for someone with AD) was still short a few hours.
If you find yourself in this situation, make sure you reach out, get support, and learn all you can. Above all, remember to take care of yourself, the caretaker.
Barbara C. Phillips, NP
OlderWiserWomen™~~~~~~~~
Care giving for an adult has become a huge issue for women, because it has been found that the majority of adult caregivers are women (mostly elder daughters) over the age of 40. It is thought that one in every four adults in the US is caring for another adult. Alzheimer's disease in family members poses a unique challenge to caregivers. The progressive deterioration of the mental faculties of those with the disease creates a different caregiving experience.(PRWEB) July 1, 2005 -- Caregivers of those with Alzheimer's disease are not providing care which will result in the improvement of mental and physical health, as reported in the June edition of North Shore Women's Journal, http://www.nswj.com. Rather, Alzheimer's disease is a gradual journey into darkness, with continuous loss of memory, skills, intellectual capability, as well as the eventual loss of physical functioning and a sense of self. An adult can live with Alzheimer's for up to twenty years, so Alzheimer's caregiving in the home can last for a very long period of time.
Rosaleen Doherty is the owner of Right at Home an in-home care and assistance agency which provides home management and healthcare services to elders and other adults that need help to be independent in their homes. "One of the biggest challenges in caregiving an older adult with Alzheimer's is witnessing the mental decline and changes in personality and behavior which result. As the older family member declines mentally, losses in function and awareness are often disturbing and difficult to handle." says Doherty.
Due to the range of unpredictable moods and behaviors, caregiving a person with Alzheimer's disease requires almost constant vigilance and attention, not unlike the attention one gives a small child to prevent accidents and promote safety. It is therefore no surprise caregivers have the additional stress and worry which require the use of safety locks, gates to block stairways, and other measures to ensure the safety of the family member. This can create stress and depression in the caregivers themselves.
A member of an online support group received these tips when she first started her caregiving journey with her mom, who suffers from Alzheimer's.
She called these the ten absolutes of caregiving:
• Never argue, agree
• Never reason, divert
• Never shame, detract
• Never lecture, reassure
• Never "remember", reminisce
• Never "I told you", repeat
• Never say "You can't", say "Do what you can do"
• Never command or demand, ask or model
• Never condescend, encourage or praise
• Never force, reinforce
To read this complete article and learn more about Alzheimer's caregiving go to http://www.nswj.com and go to the seniors section.
Right at Home is an in-home care and assistance agency which provides home management and healthcare services to elders and other adults that need help to be independent in their homes. Right at Home provides simple services like housekeeping and laundry, personal services- including bathing and dressing, and nursing care. They serve clients from a few hours per day to 24 hours per day. Right at Home is a member of the Massachusetts Council of Home Care Aide Services, the organization that recommends the standards for home health care for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. All Right at Home employees are trained, bonded, and insured. Background checks and on-going training is provided for all employees. There are extensive training on Alzheimer's and dementia care.
Right at Home is a family owned business. It's owned by Rosaleen Doherty and Jay Kenney. They live in Marblehead with their two children. They opened Right at Home because they saw the need for quality, reliable homecare on the North Shore. Rosaleen and Jay believe that all elders and disabled people should have the opportunity to live their lives in the comfort of their own home. Right at Home is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and can be contacted at 978-232-0202.
Please see their website at www.rightathome.net/bostonnorth
