subject: A Life Enriched: Caring For Those With Alzheimer's Disease [print this page] Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia are on the rise in the United States. According to a 2010 report by the Alzheimer's Association, 5.3 million Americans currently suffer from the disease, and it was the 7th leading cause of death in the United States, 5th among people aged 65 and older. Someone is diagnosed with the disease every 70 seconds in the country, and the association predicts that rate to jump to every 33 seconds by 2050.
Caregivers Making the Sacrifice
While the number of those who suffer from Alzheimer's and other dementias, so do the legions of family and friends who spend literally billions of hours each year offering unpaid caregiving. The Alzheimer's Association states that around 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for someone with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, contributing a total of 12.5 billion hours that is valued at $144 billion.
Tips and Suggestions for Caregivers
In conjunction with service from medical professionals, including Massachusetts primary care and much more, family and friends will increasingly take on a caregiving role as Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia affect more lives. Experts have many suggestions to make caregiving more effective and to help provide an enriched experience for those suffering from the disease.
The Mayo Clinic published an article, "Alzheimer's care: Simple tips for daily tasks," that offers several suggestions for helping to reduce stress of the person being cared for. Among the tips:
* Planning wisely. According to the article, "[s]chedule the most difficult tasks, such as bathing or medical appointments, for the time of day when your loved one tends to be most calm and agreeable."
* Leaving ample time to complete tasks (because they often take longer than anticipated)
* Keeping choices and instructions simple
* Reducing distractions
Elinor Ginzler, director of Livable Communities at the AARP, offered other suggestions for caregivers in an AARP broadcast. These suggestions include:
* Talking with your loved one about current events and discussing other things. This can keep their brain engaged during the day.
* Cooking together. This skill often stays intact for older women and helps patients feel the satisfaction of helping out.
* Daily exercise. Ginzler said that this can help slow down the progression of the disease.
* Engaging in music. Patients can often remember words to old songs and dance moves. Ginzler said that people who may struggle to dress themselves each day can still remember the waltz unbelievably well, bringing them great joy.
While providing care for someone with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia can be demanding both physically and emotionally, many take the challenge on with determination and patience, providing an enriched life for those suffering from a disease that is becoming an ever-increasing part of American life.
