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Simply put, caregiving is the caring for one or more individuals by one or more other individuals, either in the home or institutional setting.
For AD sufferers in the more advanced stages of their disease, caregiving becomes a much more difficult and complicated task. The caregiver may have to deal with all aspects of personal hygiene, feeding, controlling inappropriate behaviors, as well as try to continue to maintain as normal a personal life as possible. This can be a very stressful time for a caregiver. Alzheimer's sufferers can be very difficult and frustrating to care for. This week I present to you an article by Marci Goldman-Stocks, the Elderly Caregiving editor here at Suite 101. Please feel free to comment or ask questions at the end of her article. Next week I would like to present an article on the holidays and the Alzheimer's sufferer.
PURPOSE: To let caregivers know that they are not alone, that their feelings (whether positive or negative) are normal, and that each person has different coping mechanisms. As a social worker, I have interacted with many caregivers. I would like to share two different caregivers' cases with you — they may even sound familiar. I have changed all names for confidentiality purposes. 1. Anne, 65, has been caring for her husband Dan, 65, for the past 10 years. She has little family support, unemployed since she is always at home with her husband, and receives limited outside services such as adult day care. On the other hand, she is active with her support group and participates in community organizations. When I asked her the question, "Anne, how are you handling everything? How are you coping?" She responded, "Marci, some days are better than others. We can't do the things we used to do. He doesn't remember my name, but he knows I am the one caring for him. I am upset because of the drastic changes. But you know, I love Dan so much that it doesn't matter as long as we are together. He is my life." 2. Charles, age 40, has been caring for his mother Ms. Smith, 70, for the past seven years. Ms. Smith receives care from the local adult day center. Charles says he does not have the time to attend support groups. He is unemployed and the rest of the family live in another Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article What Is Caregiving? in Alzheimer's Research is owned by Karen Largent. Permission to republish What Is Caregiving? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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