Caregiver resources There are support resources for caregivers. The stress that a caregiver may experience is correlated to the amount of time they spend caregiving. Identifying ways to have meaningful support for the patient and the caregiver throughout each stage of AD can greatly improve the Case study Sandy, age 78, has been living with her daughter Michelle for two years. Until recently, she could stay home by herself but lately she has been trying to leave the house and wandering is becoming a safety concern. Michelle has decided to enroll her mother in the adult daycare program near her house, but she is worried that her mother will act out and be unruly. At the daycare, she lets the administrator know that her mother has behavioral problems and is often unwilling to stick to a schedule. She also shares that her mother wanders and is unable to sit still. The administrator reassures Michelle that the daycare has the capacity to accommodate Sandy and her disease in an appropriate, comfortable manner. When Michelle picked up her mother after the first day of day care, she noticed that Sandy was tired and sleepy. The administrator shared that Sandy had experienced an amazing day at the center. She participated in the activities, rested, and when she got restless, she was escorted by a certified nurse assistant (can) for a walk around the hallways of the building. Additionally, Sandy had eaten the food, was able to introduce herself, and appeared to be comfortable in the new environment. Michelle was amazed and when they got home, Sandy wanted to rest on the couch and Michelle was able to prepare dinner in a calm environment. Michelle decided that her mother would go to the daycare five days a week. Michelle was also going to benefit from her mother’s new schedule. She no longer had a sense of dread that something would happen to her mother during the day, or that her mother would not have food, or would slip and fall. Michelle became a huge advocate for adult daycare and greatly appreciated the benefits for both the person with AD and the caregiver. Conclusion Alzheimer’s disease is complex, difficult to comprehend, and full of conflicts for the patient and caregivers. Understanding the stages and disease progression allows for planning, lifestyle changes, and integration of safety measures that can improve well-being. As more people are diagnosed, there will be a continued need for research, testing, and communication among the AD community to identify innovative ways to improve. As healthcare providers it is incumbent on us to align with the appropriate professionals who can fill in gaps of care, communication, and shared information to empower and serve our patients with honesty and integrity.
overall well-being of everyone involved. For information about local caregiver support resources, ● Veteran’s Administration National Caregiver Support Line 1-855-260-3274 ● Alzheimer’s Association https://www.alz.org/about Many caregivers are not aware of the benefits of support services such as adult daycare, respite, and other programs. Additionally, there are challenges that can be presented based on preconceived notions and perceptions of services. When addressing concerns of family caregivers, consider the following. ● Family caregivers often have a sense of grief, loss, and guilt pertaining to their loved one, so providing support for the caregiver can be a tremendous asset to the entire care team. ● Providers and healthcare professionals are often unaware of the available resources in the community, so engage and educate them so that they can refer people. ● Create a support network for family caregivers—often they provide insight and recommendations that can be helpful. ● Draw boundaries, as appropriate, between social services and family caregivers—while it is the goal to address each individual situation as it arises, there must be a general focus on service delivery that is for the good of the community served. Understand that caregivers are often exhausted and confronting stress they are unprepared for, combined with grief and loneliness. The synergy between a caregiver, the professional support, and the person with ADRD can be lifesaving and improve the overall well-being of everyone in a difficult time.
This disease requires a comprehensive community approach to ensure that people have access to healthcare and services that can be of value to both caregivers and patients.
WORKS CITED https://qr2.mobi/AlzDisease
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Book Code: PCIL1525
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