Alzheimer's Disease: Resources for Caregivers

by Linda Schuetz, RN, (former) Director of Nursing, Frank B. Foster Pavilion of Westminster Place

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that affects the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking and behavior. It affects an estimated four million adults in the United States.

On Presbyterian Homes' Wesminster Place campus, the Frank B. Foster Pavilion is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art care for older adults with Alzheimer's disease and memory loss, as well as connecting families and friends to available resources. While there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, new research findings are hopeful, and several medications are used to relieve some of the symptoms.

Health care centers are moving away from medical models, where staff focused primarily on a resident's physical needs. Now they are creating a more homelike atmosphere that includes personal possessions such as photographs, familiar foods, and daily routines such as cooking.

The effects of the disease can be dramatic on the family and friends of an Alzheimer's patient, especially if they are involved in the person's caregiving. They may experience feelings of loss, especially if the disease has changed their loved one. Many will experience the stages of grief as the diagnosis is made or the disease progresses. The most common feeling is guilt. Family and close friends often think they could have done something different which would have altered the course of the disease. They feel guilty for having negative thoughts about the person with the disease, for wishing the suffering would end, and for having conflicts with other family members who are less involved in the person's care.

Over eighty percent of caregivers suffer from high levels of stress and about fifty percent suffer from some form of depression. Caregivers say they are often too busy to recognize their own needs and many don't know where to turn for help. Resources for caregivers are varied and can provide as much or as little support as a caregiver wants. Support groups can be a useful way for caregivers to cope with their feelings and adjust to their role in caring for their loved one, while giving the caregiver the opportunity to meet others who are sharing the same experiences.

Adult day services for those with memory loss provide daily structure, socialization opportunities and can often improve mood and self-esteem issues while addressing behavior problems. These centers also provide the opportunity for caregivers to work, take time for themselves, and have comfort knowing their family member or friend is well cared for in their absence. Special care centers, such as the Foster Pavilion, are also available for those who need constant supervision and more assistance with personal care.

For information about the caregiver support groups offered at Presbyterian Homes as well as other resources about Alzheimer's disease, contact the Foster Pavilion 847-570-3446. To locate your local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, call 800-272-3900.

For more information, please fill out the Information Request Form.