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Alzheimer’s care is often a 24-hour job that leaves little room for rest or time to enjoy personal hobbies. Caregivers also face the reality that their senior loved ones’ helplessness is unlikely to get better. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, approximately 7 million seniors over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s disease. With the epidemic expected to increase that number to 13 million by 2050, it’s worth looking into how other caregivers are addressing the crisis.
Understand that No Two Cases Are Alike
The path a senior takes after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is often unpredictable. While one senior might become quiet and passive, another could express challenging behaviors that leave his or her family reeling. For many caregivers who are currently immersed in their duties, trying to explain their day-to-day life to others is difficult.
Joining support groups is one strategy family caregivers are finding to be helpful for connecting with others who share their journey. Even then, that can feel like a luxury to someone who is juggling 24-hour care for a family member with Alzheimer’s.
A professional caregiver can also be a fantastic resource for you and your whole family. Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted homecare services provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help.
Be Proactive to Prevent Secondary Complications
Although many caregivers feel alone, they’re benefiting from learning how to make changes from the experiences of those who came before them. For instance, caregivers in the past often experienced burnout without knowing their feelings of guilt and frustration were normal. Today’s caregivers are also aware that seniors who don’t have multiple sources of care are at risk for serious complications such as fall-related injuries.
Once Alzheimer’s progresses to the middle stages or beyond, family caregivers may need additional assistance to manage their needs. Even leaving a senior with Alzheimer’s alone long enough to take a shower could place him or her at risk for harm. Fortunately, caregivers have options to find support that prevents major complications for their loved ones.
Lean on Local Sources of Support
Education is driving the ways caregivers confront the Alzheimer’s epidemic today. Learning about the new treatments being developed to help people preserve their abilities gives caregivers tools for enhancing their loved ones’ quality of life. Many Alzheimer’s treatment centers include educational seminars and classes that invite family members to learn more about their loved ones’ condition.
Family caregivers can also lean on the support of local senior care agencies to create personalized plans that offer support for their loved ones. In-home care for seniors allows them to age in place, where they’re able to benefit from familiar living environments. Family caregivers can also rely on in-home support to give them respite time they can use to care for their needs.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional elder care. Naples families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Gather the Strength to Ask for Help
While it’s upsetting to know millions of families are facing difficulties providing Alzheimer’s care, it’s also heartening to know so much help is available. Reaching out for help is no longer viewed as shirking one’s responsibilities as an adult child of a senior with Alzheimer’s.
Instead, compassionate sources of support are available to prevent caregiver burnout. Arranging for periods of respite helps caregivers shower, shop for groceries, and manage other essential duties while also ensuring their loved ones stay safe and comfortable in their homes.
The days, weeks, and months following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be challenging for both seniors and their families. However, these challenges can be made less stressful with the help of caregivers trained in professional Alzheimer’s care. Naples Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one enjoy the golden years while simultaneously managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. For reliable in-home care services, contact us today.
