My hat is off to all caregivers, but especially to those who take care of the 75 percent of patients with Alzheimer’s disease who live at home. Certainly for the person with AD, being surrounded by loved ones, photos and other memorabilia prevents the disorientation and loneliness of an unfamiliar environment.
For the caregiver, this situation can go on for 10 to 15 years. So it’s no wonder that caregivers are at risk for physical illness, social isolation and financial problems. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly 40 percent of family caregivers become depressed and many find relief only when the wandering off, agitation and bathroom accidents become so bad that institutional care is their last hope.
The person you are caring for is no longer the same parent or spouse or even adult you once knew.
