Caring for a Family Member with Alzheimer’s

The number of older adults suffering from Alzheimer’s disease is increasing.  The Alzheimer’s Organization states that there are now 5.3 million Americans with Alzheimer's.  Of those numbers, “an estimated 5.1 million people are age 65 and older, and approximately 200,000 individuals are under age 65 (younger-onset Alzheimer's).”   As the population of 65 years and older adults continues to grow, it is believed as many as 7.1 million adults will be affected with the disease by 2025.  Furthermore, the disease is the only one of the ten top causes of death that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed down.   

The reality of these sobering statistics is that today more and more families are finding themselves in the situation of assisting a loved one suffering from the disease.  The Alzheimer's Organization also has studied the overwhelming toll on family caregivers.  Their statistics indicate that almost 60 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers “rate their stress level as high or very high”.  In addition approximately 40 percent of them suffer from depression and have required healthcare services related to the emotional and physical toll of caregiving.

The FamilyDoctor.org website recommends that family caregivers learn as much as they can about the disease while their loved one is still in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, now is the time for the whole family, including the patient, to plan for the future.  This may include having an attorney help to update legal documents and creating an advanced healthcare directive and power of attorney for health care.

Your research should include finding out what you can about area resources including local training, counseling, and support groups.  Also get referrals for in home respite care agencies such as Austin’s SYNERGY HomeCare.  We provide professional respite care services that make it possible to take some much-needed time for yourself while ensuring the needs of your loved one are being met by our compassion caregivers.   Our services are flexible and will be customized to meet your family’s needs.    

SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the most trusted agencies in the Greater Austin area for non-medical home care.  Our affordable, reliable and compassionate services provide families with everything from live-in care to short term wellness visits.  Contact us for a complementary home visit to discuss the ways we can provide your family with the best professional care.   

Sources:alz.org/facts/overview.asp#prevalence,familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/seniors/caregiving/caring-for-a-relative-who-has-dementia.html