Earlier this year the Alzheimer's Association released information that there are approzimately 15 million unpaid caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's Disease and other age related dementias in the United States...an increase of 37% more than reported last eyar. Loosely speaking, a caregiver is anyone who provides help and assistance to someone who is incapacitated in any way in tasks needed to peform activites needed to carry out their daily lives. The list of possibilities is huge, buy may include:
- dressing
- bathing, hygiene, toileting
- medication management
- meal preparation and managing special diets
- eating managing finances
- mobility
- keeping track of and providing transportation to needed appointments
- access to areas of the home and keeping the home environment safe for the loved ones
While care giving can be rewarding, it can also be a great source of stress on teh caregiver and the entire family. The American Occupational Therapy Association supports the campaign "Aging in Place" to enable to assist a loved one to continue to live in their home of choice. Tips for caregivers:
- join a local or online support group.
- recruit assistance from other family members and trusted friends.
- Try to find ways to take a break.
- Try to maintain a regular routine of when daily lviing activities, such as bathing and mealtime are performed.
- Take care of your back. Caregivers may do a lot of lifting.
- Don't expect too much. Keep tasks and instruction simple.
- Watch for signs of depression and burnout. Don't be afraid to seek help for this.
- Educate yourself about your loved one's specific condition so you can communicate with their physican.
- Contact agencies such as the local Area Agency on Aging or Alzheimer's association to see if they can direct you to community resources.
- Consider seeking a referral from the physician for an occupational therapist to provide low cost recommendation's for home modificationand adaptive equipment to make your job easier an your loved one's environment safer. A physical therpaist can determine and provide education regarding the safest mode of mobility.
- Remember....YOU ARE VALUABLE!
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