New Report Reveals Alzheimer's Will Cost Nation $200 billion in 2012

The recently released Alzheimer’s Association 2012 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report says that caring for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the United States an estimated $200 billion in 2012. This includes $140 billion paid by Medicare and Medicaid. 

In addition, Medicare payments for an older person with Alzheimer’s and other dementias are nearly three times higher and Medicaid payments are 19 times higher than for seniors without these conditions. These costs will only continue to soar in the coming years given the projected rapidly escalating prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease as the baby boomers age.

 

The facts outlined in the report also underscore the need for investment in research. While the estimated costs of Alzheimer’s to the country are $200 billion, only one percent of this, $2 billion, is what scientists say is needed to make significant inroads in Alzheimer’s research that can begin to solve the crisis. To learn more about the information released in Facts and Figures, visit alz.org to watch a video summarizing the report.

Facts and Figures also includes a special section focusing on individuals living alone with Alzheimer’s. While Alzheimer’s imposes profound challenges on individuals and their families, for the one out of seven individuals with Alzheimer’s who live alone these challenges are even more formidable. An estimated 800,000 individuals have Alzheimer’s and live alone, and up to half of these individuals do not have an identifiable caregiver.

The Alzheimer’s Association provides a wealth of resources, programs and materials to assist individuals who live alone and their families, including:

Helpline: Available 24/7, this free call center (800.272.3900) offers information and support from master’s level clinicians.

Care consultations: The Alzheimer’s Association offers care consultations to individuals and their families living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Care planning is essential to provide those with the disease information about medical and non-medical options for treatment and support services.

ALZConnected: ALZConnected, powered by the Alzheimer’s Association, is the first dedicated online social networking community for anyone affected by Alzheimer’s disease; it provides a safe place for people to connect with others in similar situations 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at no charge.

For more information and resources to support those living alone with Alzheimer’s, visit the Alzheimer’s Association website at alz.org. 

African Americans and Alzheimer's Disease

Currently, as many as 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. This devastating, deteriorating and debilitating disease is the ultimate thief — a thief of memories, thief of independence, thief of control, and ultimately, a thief of life.

Many Americans dismiss the warning signs of Alzheimer’s, believing that these symptoms are a part of normal aging. They are diagnosed too late and miss the opportunity to get the best care possible. This issue is of even greater concern for African-Americans, who are about two times more likely to have Alzheimer’s and other dementias than whites.

African-Americans have a higher rate of vascular disease (diseases involving blood vessels, including heart attack and stroke) – one of the suspected risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease. Often caused in part by poor nutritional habits and low physical activity levels, vascular disease may trigger cognitive decline.

To help reduce these risk factors and reverse the growing trend of Alzheimer’s disease among African-Americans, visit alz.org/africanamerican. This Web portal from the Alzheimer’s Association offers tips on brain and heart health, summarizes the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s and suggests methods of stress relief for the African-American caregiver.

Online Dementia and Driving Resource Center Helps Families Tackle a Difficult Topic

Due to the progressive nature of Alzheimer’s, every person with the disease will eventually become unable to drive. Some people are able to continue driving in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, but it requires ongoing evaluation to ensure safety.

As hard as it is for people living with Alzheimer’s to give up driving, addressing the topic is often just as hard on caregivers. In response to this delicate topic and lack of resources to address it, the Alzheimer’s Association, with support from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, created a new Dementia and Driving Resource Center (DDRC) located online at alz.org/driving.

The DDRC was designed to inform and support the needs of both caregivers and people living with dementia in a compassionate manner. The site features four short videos depicting different scenarios for approaching driving and dementia. In addition, the DDRC has tips and strategies for planning ahead and handling resistance, common signs of unsafe driving, resources for alternative methods of transportation and additional information on driving and safety.

The Alzheimer’s Association recommends that families discuss driving, ideally while the person with Alzheimer’s is still able to participate in the conversation and decision-making process. The following are signs that it may be time for the person with dementia to stop driving:

• Forgetting how to locate familiar places 
• Failing to observe traffic signs 
• Making slow or poor decisions in traffic 
• Driving at an inappropriate speed 
• Becoming angry or confused while driving 
• Hitting curbs 
• Using poor lane control 
• Making errors at intersections 
• Confusing the brake and gas pedals 
• Returning from a routine drive later than usual 
• Forgetting the destination you are driving to during the trip  

If you are concerned that your loved one with Alzheimer's Disease or another related dementia may no longer be able to drive safely, then please visit the Alzheimer's Association's Dementia and Driving Resource Center. 

Don't Ignore Signs of Caregiver Stress

Caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease can cause depression, anger and irritability, in addition to taking a physical toll that results in exhaustion and sleeplessness. These are real issues caregivers shouldn't ignore.

November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month. The Alzheimer's Association offers a number of resources to help caregivers manage stress:

• The Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Notebook offers tips for care and planning for the future, as well as a list of resources to use when additional information is needed. To learn more or purchase the Caregiver Notebook, visit www.alz.org/caregivernotebook.
• Caregiver Stress Check, an interactive quiz that helps caregivers to identify symptoms of stress and provides a tailored list of helpful referrals and other support. Take the quiz at www.alz.org/stresscheck.
• Alzheimer's Association CareSource™, an easy-to-use, one-stop online portal for everything you need to widen your care options and plan for care for a person with Alzheimer's. Find out how CareSource can help at www.alz.org/caresource.

Learn more about Alzheimer's disease and caregiver stress by visiting http://www.alz.org/.

 

Raising Alzheimer’s Awareness Worldwide

Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 35 million individuals worldwide and costs the global economy more than $600 billion. Alzheimer’s is an international health epidemic that impacts people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds.

September is World Alzheimer’s Month and an opportunity to raise awareness of this devastating disease on a global level. If you know an individual who is in need of information on Alzheimer’s, you can direct them to the following resources in multiple languages from the Alzheimer’s Association:

• Brain Tour – A virtual tour of the brain that helps to explain how the brain works and how Alzheimer’s disease affects it. It is currently available in 14 languages including German, Polish, French and Spanish at alz.org.

• Know the 10 Signs – An easy-to-read list describing the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Available at alz.org in Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese.

• 24/7 Helpline – A round-the-clock information and support helpline provided by education specialists and masters level counselors. Services include bilingual Spanish-speaking consultants and interpretation for more than 170 languages. Call 1.800.272.3900.

• Online portals – Fully translated microsites with an overview of Alzheimer's disease, signs and symptoms, caregiving tips and more. These sites are currently available in Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Japanese and can be accessed by visiting alz.org.

For those seeking information on Alzheimer’s in other languages, a local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association may also be a good resource. To find the chapter nearest you, visit alz.org.

Safer Travel for Those with Dementia

Summer is the time of year when many Americans plan summer and holiday travel. Whether you’re considering a weekend getaway or an extended stay, traveling with an individual who has Alzheimer’s requires additional thought and preparation.

People with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers need to be prepared for a change in schedule and environment. Even if it is a trip you have taken before, it may feel new for the person with the disease.

Additionally, as Alzheimer’s progresses, negotiating changes in environment will become increasingly challenging. Be prepared for the individual with the disease to experience some confusion or disorientation. Exercise caution, as wandering and getting lost are more likely during transitional times. The checklist below will help you plan for the trip and make it successful and safe.
Before going

• Call the Alzheimer’s Association chapter in the area you will be visiting. Let them know you will be staying in the area and ask about available resources. You can locate any chapter by calling 1.800.272.3900 or visiting www.alz.org/apps/findus.asp.

• Enroll the person in MedicAlert® + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return®, a 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for individuals with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia who wander or have a medical emergency. You may also want to consider the Alzheimer’s Association Comfort Zone®, powered by Omnilink, a Web-based GPS location management service or Alzheimer’s Association Comfort Zone Check-InTM.

• If you are already enrolled in MedicAlert, update your records with temporary contact information (call 1.888.572.8566).

Upon arrival

• Let neighbors know a person with Alzheimer’s is staying next door and ask them to keep their eye out for wandering or other unsafe behavior.

• During the first few days after arrival, keep your schedule light with lots of down time.

• Create opportunities to re-acclimate the person to the new environment.

• Keep familiar things around.

• Limit access to money and credit cards.

• Limit access to driving.

• Be aware that the change can be chaotic for the person.

• Recognize the warning signs of anxiety and agitation.

For more tips on safety for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, including concerns about wandering, disaster preparedness, home and medication safety, visit the Alzheimer’s Association Safety Center at www.alz.org/safetycenter or call 1.800.272.3900 to find the Alzheimer’s Association chapter closest to you.

Be Aware of High Blood Pressure

by Anne Pagnoni

According to the CDC, almost 68 million people are living with high blood pressure, which is also known as hypertension. High blood pressure increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, which are the first and third leading causes of death, respectively.

Blood pressure is the force of blood against your artery walls as the heart pumps your blood throughout your body. If your blood pressure rises and stays high for a long period of time, then it can damage the body in a variety of ways. Blood pressure is measured in two numbers. The systolic number, which is the "top" number, refers to blood pressure when the heart is beating. The diastolic number, which is the "bottom" number, refers to blood pressure when the heart is resting between beats. A normal blood pressure reading is any reading when the systolic number is less than 120 and the diastolic number is less than 80.

Blood pressure varies during the day. It tends to increase when you're excited, nervous, or active. It tends to decrease when you are sleeping. It's important to keep in mind that if your blood pressure stays above the normal reading for the majority of the time, then you are at risk for hypertension and other health problems.

In addition to sleep, excitement, and activity, there are many other factors that impact blood pressure. The amount of water and salt that you have in your body; the condition of your kidneys, nervous system, and blood vessels; health conditions including thyroid disease and sleep apnea; and the varying levels of hormones in your body impact blood pressure. Age impacts blood pressure as blood pressure tends to increase as we get older simply because our blood vessels become stiffer as we age.

Hypertension has been shown to cause the arteries throughout the body to narrow in some places. As a result, blood flow is limited to various body parts which can lead to heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure. Aneurysms, which are abnormal bulges in artery walls, can form in blood vessels as a result of high blood pressure. Blood vessels in the eyes can burst or begin to bleed. This can lead to changes in vision or even blindness.

There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat hypertension. These vary from medications that help remove water and salt from the body to medications that slow down the heart or relax and widen blood vessels. Some individuals benefit from having two or more medications.

In addition to prescription medications, there are a variety of lifestyle changes that one can make to help decrease blood pressure. Eating a diet low in fat, cholesterol, and salt can help reduce blood pressure as well as limiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Men should have no more than two alcoholic drinks per day while women should have no more than one alcoholic drink per day. Physical activity is another way to manage high blood pressure. It's important to speak with your physician prior to starting any physical exercise regiment in order to learn what is safe for you to do. Maintaining a healthy weight can do wonders in the fight against high blood pressure. If you are a smoker, then quit smoking. There are products that can help you quit. Talk to your doctor for more information about these. Learn how to manage stress and relax. Some people choose physical activity while others opt for meditation or listening to music. Find out what works for you.

While high blood pressure cannot be cured, it can be controlled. Make sure that you work closely with your doctor to make sure that your hypertension is being properly managed. Managing your high blood pressure will allow you to live a long life.

For more information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

New Report Reveals Nearly 15 Million Alzheimer's Caregivers

According to the 2011 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures released March 15 by the Alzheimer's Association, there are nearly 15 million Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers in the United States - 37 percent more than reported last year. In 2010, these individuals provided 17 billion hours of unpaid care valued at $202.6 billion.

The rising prevalence of Alzheimer's places increasingly intense demands - emotional, physical and financial -on the millions of family members and friends who care for those with Alzheimer's. "Alzheimer's disease doesn't just affect those with it. It invades families and the lives of everyone around them," said Harry Johns, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association.

As the Alzheimer's epidemic continues to escalate, more and more Americans will experience the strain of this disease. Today, an estimated 5.4 million individuals are living with Alzheimer's. It is the sixth-leading cause of death in the country and the only cause of death among the top 10 in the United States that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.

2011 Facts and Figures also includes a special report focusing on early detection and diagnosis. Increasing evidence suggests that early diagnosis of Alzheimer's and timely intervention is beneficial both for people with the disease and their caregivers. Experts believe that early detection of Alzheimer's disease and early interventions with improved therapies provide the greatest hope to delay or stop additional damage to the brain.

To help, learn the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease© and be aware of them in yourself and others. The signs are a key tool in increasing recognition of changes that indicate Alzheimer's or another dementia.

10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease

• Memory changes that disrupt daily life

• Challenges in planning or solving problems

• Difficulty completing familiar tasks

• Confusion with time or place

• Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

• New problems with words in speaking or writing

• Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

• Decreased or poor judgment

• Withdrawal from work or social activities

• Changes in mood and personality

If you or someone you care about is experiencing any of the 10 warning signs, please see a doctor to find the cause. For more information about the signs, early detection and diagnosis or the Facts and Figures report, contact the Alzheimer's Association via the web or 1.800.272.3900.

Somebody's Sweetheart

by Anne Pagnoni

The month of February and Valentine’s Day brings a celebration of love and stirs couples to rekindle feelings of romance and devotion. Not so different from young couples are aging seniors, celebrating memories of sweethearts and romance in days gone by. Sit a while with a senior couple and they will soon be telling you their romance story or listen to a widow or widower as they sing their favorite love song from their youth.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s can rob senior minds of many of these treasured memories, changing their personality and life style. Because of these and other illnesses, many seniors end up in nursing homes or care facilities where only their basic physical needs are cared for by the facility staff. To these seniors, Valentine’s Day becomes no different from every other day. They often find it difficult to relive memories of the past. In one care facility a sign placed lovingly over a patient’s bed reads, “I Am Somebody’s Sweetheart,” as if to say I once dreamed, lived and loved, please treat me kindly.

When asked how she relates to those she cares for, nurse assistant Karen W. replies that most of the time it's those patients who are causing a disturbance or may be in danger of harming themselves who are the ones that get her attention. Even then she can only take care of the immediate problem. Very seldom has she time to personally get to know well all the elderly people she cares for.

Although this is true with many facilities, the need for more personalized care is, in some cases, being recognized. Assisted living facilities with specialized memory care programs -- some using art, music and dance or physical activities -- are finding great success with increasing the quality of life for those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s. Many care facilities across the nation are adding these programs to better serve their residents.

If you cannot find a facility in your area that provides this special attention, home care may be a better option. Consider this real experience. When Nora would visit her father in the nursing home she would find him sitting, slumped over and disinterested in his surroundings. By the time she and her young children finished their visit, he was alert and talking to them. Feeling he would do better in her home environment, Nora enlisted the services of a Geriatric Care Manager to evaluate her father and determine what would be needed for his care at home so that he could get the social stimulation that he needed.

A Geriatric Care Manager can be a valuable asset to family members when it becomes necessary to look at alternatives for their loved one's long term care. They work with all members of the family in educating about resources and making decisions. Some services provided are:

•  Make an assessment about the type of care need
•  Develop a care plan for care both current and future care 
•  Work with physicians in getting medical support
•  Find home care services that work with the families’ needs
•  Provide assistance with legal and financial issues

Home care services vary, depending on what is needed, and may change as caregiving requirements change in regards to the physical or mental health of the elderly person. Types of Home Care are:

• Home health care companies: provide nurses, physical therapists, social workers and aides that assist with basic health care such as changing bandages, taking vital signs and helping with medication as well as a host of other skilled needs. 
• Non-medical home providers: help with bathing, dressing, meals, ambulating, chores, errands, housekeeping and much, much more.

Home care personnel are skilled in working with the spouse and extended family members of their ailing loved one to provide needed services and support in the home. They add consistency in the care and are available in time of crisis or need to add additional services.

With help from her Geriatric Care Manager, Nora brought her father to her home for his care. The care manager worked with her father’s doctor, prescribing a physical therapist and nurse's aide to come to the home. A non-medical home care company was employed to help with daily bathing and dressing.

Another resource available to families, which is not used as often as it should be, is hospice. Hospice care is provided in the home or in a hospice facility, hospital or nursing home. When illness is terminal, hospice service is provided by a team which includes doctors, nurses, grief counselors, aides and social workers as needed. These services can be provided at no out-of-pocket cost by Medicare.

In her internet article Naomi Naierman, President and CEO of the American Hospice Foundation states: “As a Medicare beneficiary, you are entitled to the Medicare Hospice Benefit without additional premiums. If you are enrolled in a managed care organization (MCO) you have access to this benefit, even if the MCO does not cover hospice services. The Medicare Hospice Benefit covers the following hospice services in full:

• Skilled nursing services
• Volunteer Services
• Physician visits
• Skilled therapy
• Home health aide visits
• Medical social services
• Spiritual counseling
• Nutrition counseling
• Bereavement support for the family”

There is a growing market for care providers throughout the nation to fill the need of senior care services. Assisted living, home care and hospice care, geriatric care managers and geriatric clinics are all just part of these services. The National Care Planning Council supports family caregivers with information and resources of all types of long term care services on its website: http://www.longtermcarelink.net/.

"Somebody’s Sweetheart" may be in need of your loving care someday and help is available to reduce your burden and ease the journey.

 

Start the Year Off Right with Home Care Assistance of New Jersey

Getting together and celebrating a special occasion with the family can be a wonderful time. It can also be a time when you begin noticing changes in your aging loved one. Perhaps as you celebrated the recent holidays, you noticed that your mother’s hygiene isn’t what it used to be. You may have noticed that her short term memory is declining or that she has been losing weight. Perhaps she mentioned being lonely during the day but being unable to get out of the house on her own due to physical ailments. You are working and taking care of your own busy family and can’t imagine taking on additional caregiving responsibilities even though you want to. So what do you do? Now is the time to call Home Care Assistance.

Home Care Assistance is a full service home care agency offering hourly services but with a specialty in live-in caregivers. Our caregivers are specifically trained in our exclusive Balanced Care MethodTM . Focusing on lifestyle and dietary choices, the Balanced Care MethodTM promotes healthy activity, stress reduction, and social interaction to help seniors live their best possible lives – in the comfort of home. But, what exactly does this mean for your mother?

1. When it comes to physical hygiene, our caregivers are able to provide assistance with bathing, dressing, and grooming. A little help here can go a long way in improving your mom’s willingness to interact with others and her own self-image.

2. From planning the menu to preparing the meal, the caregiver will ensure that your mother is eating three, well balanced meals per day. If your mother has food preferences or enjoys cooking, then she and her caregiver will enjoy doing this together.

3. Exercise. Not a word that most of us like to think about, but it’s a necessity nonetheless. Your mom isn’t going to be training for a marathon by any stretch, but the caregiver will work to improve her physical stamina. From simply doing stretches and chair exercises to walking to the mailbox or around the block, she won’t be sitting in her favorite chair all day long anymore!

4. You know the old saying, use it or lose it. It applies to short term memory, too! While our caregivers can’t reverse memory loss associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, they can provide social interaction, which has been shown to improve cognitive function. A game of cards, anyone?

When it comes to caring for your aging loved one, accept help from the professionals. While this is new to you, it isn’t new to us. For more information about Home Care Assistance, please visit our website at www.homecareassistance.com. To be directed to your local Home Care Assistance office, please call 1-866-4-LIVEIN.

Using the Holidays to Your Advantage

The holidays are the time of year when even far away family members travel in order to gather together. This makes the holidays the perfect time to do some planning for the future. With parents aging and their health and lifestyles changing, children need to discuss some changes and decisions that will be needed in the near future. Parents should take the time to tell their children where important documents are kept and what their wishes are in the event of needing health care directives or experiencing long term care needs.

For those children who live away, the change they see in their parent's health and mental capacity may be alarming -- whereas siblings that have daily contact are working with these issues constantly. Here is the chance to compare notes and work together as a complete family in the long term care planning process.

For you parents who are well and active, this is a good time to hold a family meeting and share with your children your plan for long term care. Tell them where financial and legal documents are located. Review health care directives, living wills and long term care alternatives.

Experience has shown that even families that are close can quickly grow angry, jealous and hostile towards each other when an aging parent begins to need long term care. If a sibling moves into the parent's home, others can easily be suspicious of ulterior motives and fear losing their inheritance. On the other hand, the child who assumes the role of caregiver becomes bitter and feels there is no support or help from siblings. Meetings for the purpose of making a plan, before eldercare becomes imminent, avoids these types of conflicts.

In its book, The 4 Steps of Long Term Care Planning, the National Care Planning Council provides guidelines and checklists for family planning meetings. Here are some suggestions as taken from the book:

• Get all interested persons together in one place at one time. Taking advantage of the holidays or another special event can be a great way to get everyone together. If this isn't conducive, then perhaps a special dinner might be an incentive.
• Depending on the circumstances surrounding the meeting, the facilitator can be the parent, caregiver, family friend, or a professional advisor. 
• The agenda can be formal or informal. If you want a formal agenda, then a care plan should be prepared prior to the meeting and presented to all attendees. The facilitator should work to encourage input from everyone involved through active discussion.  
• After a thorough discussion of the issues and the presentation of the solutions to the problems that will be encountered, there should be a consensus of all attending to support the plan. It is not always possible to please everyone so there must sometimes be compromise.  
• The end of the meeting should consist of asking everyone present to make his or her commitment to support the plan. GET IT IN WRITING! All good intentions seem to be forgotten with time. It may be years after this meeting before the long term care plan begins.

The U.S Department of Health and Human Services states: "No one wants to think about a time when they might need long-term care. So planning ahead for this possibility often gets put off. Most people first learn about long-term care when they or a loved one need care. Then their options are often limited by lack of information, the immediate need for services, and insufficient resources to pay for preferred services. Planning ahead allows you to have more control over your future."

Whether you plan a formal meeting with an agenda or informally gather for a discussion, when the family is together make it a point to start the long term care planning process. There is a lot to learn and many decisions to make concerning finances, health issues and legal work. It may take research and a lot of time to put a plan together, but if everyone is involved it will work, and be worth it.

For more information, please visit Home Care Assistance or the National Care Planning Council. 

 

Make the Holidays Brighter

The holidays are a busy but wonderful time of the year for most of us. However, for an older adult who has physical and/or cognitive limitations, the holidays can be a confusing, depressing, and very stressful time of year. Here are a few tips for how you can make the holidays more enjoyable for the older adults in your life:

• Reminisce: older adults with memory impairment have difficulty recalling recent events, but often times remember past events clearly. Allow them the opportunity to share their favorite memories. You might just learn something!
• Plan accordingly: some older adults tire quickly or respond poorly to over stimulation. Avoid cramming too many activities in to one day. Allow the time for a nap if necessary. If your loved one becomes easily confused or agitated by noise, then set aside a quiet area for him or her to relax. Instead of having the entire family over for one visit, consider having a couple of holiday gatherings over a few days.
• Physical environment: if older adults are visiting outside of their home, then ensure that the physical environment is a safe environment. Eliminate throw rugs and other tripping hazards. If visiting in the older adult's home, do not rearrange furniture as this can increase confusion.
• Avoid embarrassment: an older adult with early memory impairment may embarrass easily if unable to remember an earlier conversation or the name of a rarely seen family member. Avoid adding to their embarrassment by saying, "Don't you remember?" They don't remember and no amount of prodding will make them remember.
• Involve your loved one: invite them to help make cookies, wrap gifts, or set the dinner table. Involve them in the conversation at the holiday meal.

By making a few small adjustments, you'll guarantee a happier holiday season for all involved!

 

The Perfect Holiday Caregiver: It’s All a State of Mind

by Anne Pagnoni

The holidays are always a wonderful time of year for family gatherings, reflection on what we have and the spirit of giving. The television is packed with specials showing relationships and families coming together for the holidays. But the holidays can also be a time of stress and sadness for those who are caring for family members that are struggling with health problems, frailty, dementia and loss. Those who care for these individuals may feel overwhelmed, frustrated, depressed or resentful as they watch “perfect” families enjoying the holidays. There are many surveys and documents that show that caregivers are highly susceptible to these feelings. If you are a caregiver, there are measures you can take to avoid this.

First: you are not alone.

If you are new to caregiving or have been caring for someone for a very long time, remember that the perfect family on television is not reality for many Americans. You are not the only one with these challenges. A recent study by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP found that 44.4 million Americans age 18 or older are providing unpaid care to an adult. In fact according to the survey provided by the National Family Caregivers Association:

• The typical caregiver is a 46-year-old Baby Boomer woman with some college education who works and spends more than 20 hours per week caring for her mother who lives nearby.

• Female caregivers provide more hours of care and provide a higher level of care than male caregivers.

• Almost seven in ten 69%) caregivers say they help one person.

• The average length of caregiving is 4.3 years.

• Many caregivers fulfill multiple roles. Most caregivers are married or living with a partner (62%), and most have worked and managed caregiving responsibilities at the same time (74%).

Second:  find help.

There are many resources available to a caregiver. Some of these include family members, friends, a local religious group, elder care agencies and homecare providers. The internet provides many great resources and help. The National Care Planning Council offers many articles, brochures and local referrals to help caregivers find the help that they need.

“When my husband’s stepfather was released from the hospital in December of 2009, he called us to give him a ride home. Once he was home, we quickly realized that he was not able to care for himself at all. He lived alone and we found ourselves driving back and forth three or four times a day to assist all of his needs. It was overwhelming and frightening to suddenly become a caregiver to a man we weren’t even that close to. With my husband working full time days, I became his primary caregiver. I would pack up my two little girls every day to come with me to take him to the doctor, do his laundry and feed him his meals, do his grocery shopping and help him with his bills. I had no idea what his finances were like or how to pay his medical bills. He was too sick to care or even understand what I was saying to him. I quickly realized I was going to have to find help. First I called his children. They were sympathetic, but gave all kinds of excuses as to why they could not help. Next, I went to the internet. I went to the website for National Care Planning Council www.longtermcarelink.net and found and contacted a Care planner in my area. The Care Planner came to my stepfather’s house and met with the two of us. They helped me get organized and set up time to meet with someone to explain his Medicare services and what my next steps would be. It was such a relief to have a plan and to know what to do.” MH- Salt Lake City, Utah

Most family members are willing to help, but just don’t know what to do. Many caregivers feel that they are the only one who can give the best care. It is important to communicate with other family members about what kind of help you need and let them know specifically what they can do.

A number of organizations and private companies will give you advice and guidance -- many for free. If your care recipient has a very low income, you might get free help from your local Area Agency on Aging. A lot depends on available funds. Click here for a nationwide list of agencies.

A good source for professional advice is the rapidly growing business of non-medical home care companies. Most will offer free consultations and will provide paid aides to help you with your loved-one with such things as bathing, dressing, shopping, household chores, transportation, companionship and much more. These people may also help you coordinate adult day care or other community services.

You may wish to pay for a formal assessment and care plan from a professional geriatric care manager. Even though it may cost you a little money to hire a care manager, this could be the best money you will ever spend. Care managers are valuable in helping find supporting resources, providing respite, saving money from care providers, finding money to pay for care, making arrangements with family or government providers and providing advice on issues that you may be struggling with.

Lastly: it is important to take care of yourself first in order to give effective and loving care.

Stephen Covey tells a story in his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People about a man who is sawing a tree. A woman approaches and asks the obviously exhausted man how long he has been sawing the tree. He tells her that he has been there for hours.

She says “Well, I see that your saw is dull, if you would just sharpen your saw you would be able to saw it much faster and with less effort.”

He replies, “I don’t have time to stop and sharpen my saw, I need to chop this tree down now!”

It seems pretty silly that the man just doesn’t stop for a few minutes to make the work easier. It is common for caregivers to do the same thing. They focus on caring for their loved one and run themselves down instead of stopping to “sharpen their saw”.

Covey states that “sharpening the saw” is to take care of yourself by keeping your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual self balanced. There is joy and respite in balancing all of these areas in our life. This is what makes us efficient and happy. Here are some ways for you as a caregiver to sharpen your own saw:

• Maintain a positive attitude. Take time to be grateful for everything that is good in your life. There is always something. Adjust your expectations for the holiday season. If you aren’t expecting that perfect holiday family picture, then you won’t be angry and frustrated that it isn’t something you have right now. It is always possible to change your attitude and perceptions, but it is not always possible to change your circumstances.

• Eat healthy food and be sure to get some exercise. Do this in small increments if it is too overwhelming to plan menus. Drink more water, cut down on sugary snacks, pick up some vegetables and fruit to grab. Walk or do marching in place. Run or walk up and down stairs if that is all the time you have right now.

• Forgive and let go of frustrations, anger, resentment and guilt. These are common feelings for caregivers. The best thing a caregiver can do for their own emotional health is to clear out these negative thoughts and feelings. Get counseling, talk to a friend or family member or simply write down the negative feelings to get them out of your system. Never take your anger and frustrations out on those you care for.

• Take time to do something you enjoy and give yourself a little bit of rejuvenation everyday. Laughter is a great stress reliever. Find something funny to read or get on the internet and find a funny video to watch.

• During the holidays, be easy on yourself. If you enjoy holiday activities, then get out there and do them. Ask someone to help with your caregiving duties even if it is just for an hour or two to shop or to see a concert or movie. There are day care facilities or home care services available for short term care. See www.longtermcarelink.net for a service in your area.

Being a “perfect” caregiver during the holidays does not have to look like the perfect on-screen holiday family. How you handle your circumstance will be the key to creating your own peace, happiness and cheer during the holiday season. The holidays can be a time of reflection on good things. Your attitude and a little care for yourself can make a big difference in the care that you give in the coming year.

Safer Travel for Those with Dementia

December is a time when many families are planning to travel to visit family and friends. Whether you're considering a weekend getaway or an extended stay, traveling with an individual who has Alzheimer's requires additional thought and preparation. 

Additionally, as Alzheimer's progresses, negotiating changes in environment will become increasingly challenging. Be prepared for the individual with the disease to experience some confusion or disorientation. Exercise caution, as wandering and getting lost are more likely during transitional times. The checklist below will help you plan for the trip and make it successful and safe.

Before going persons with Alzheimer's and their caregivers need to be prepared for a change in schedule and environment. Even if it is a trip you have taken before, it may feel new for the person with the disease. 

• Call the Alzheimer's Association chapter in the area you will be visiting. Let them know you will be staying in the area and ask about available resources. You can locate any chapter by calling 1.800.272.3900 or visiting www.alz.org/apps/findus.asp.
• Enroll the person in MedicAlert^® + Alzheimer's Association Safe Return^®, a 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for individuals with Alzheimer's or a related dementia who wander or have a medical emergency. You may also want to consider the Alzheimer's Association Comfort Zone^TM, powered by Omnilink, a Web-based GPS location management service.
• If you are already enrolled in MedicAlert, update your records with temporary contact information (call 1.888.572.8566).

Upon arrival

• Let the neighbors know a person with Alzheimer's is staying next door and ask them to keep their eye out for wandering or other unsafe behavior.
• During the first few days after arrival, keep your schedule light with lots of down time.
• Create opportunities to re-acclimate the person to the new environment.
• Keep familiar things around.
• Limit access to money and credit cards.
• Limit access to driving.
• Be aware that the change can be chaotic for the person.
• Recognize the warning signs of anxiety and agitation.

For more tips on safety for people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, including concerns about wandering, disaster preparedness, home  and medication safety, visit the Alzheimer's Association Safety Center at www.alz.org/safetycenter  or call 1.800.272.3900 to find the Alzheimer's Association chapter closest to you. 

Great Program for Caregivers

Caring for an aging loved one has its fair share of challenges. For the caregiver who is caring for someone with Alzheimer's Disease or another related dementia, these challenges are compounded by difficult behaviors that many times accompany Alzheimer's Disease, i.e. agitation, repetition, hallucinations, and sundowning. The caregiver in this situation is also grieving the loss of the person that they once knew.

On November 16, 2010 at 6:00PM (EDT) the National Private Duty Association is presenting a web conference for family caregivers, who are caring for someone with Alzheimer's Disease. The 45 minute web conference will discuss patient assessment, care plans, caregiver education, safety, and other issues related to caring for someone with Alzheimer's.

While the program is free of charge, pre-registration is required. To register and for more information, please visit the NPDA at http://www.privatedutyhomecare.org/.

Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Day

In 2007 the State of New Jersey passed legislation designating the first Monday in November as "Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Day". This year we observe this day on Monday, November 1st.

The Alzheimer's Association reports that there are currently 5.3 million people living with Alzheimer's Disease and that every 70 seconds another person is diagnosed with this terminal disease. It is predicted that up to 16 million Americans will have Alzheimer's Disease by the year 2050 and that someone will be diagnosed with the Disease every 33 seconds.

Alzheimer's Disease is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States with mortality rates on the rise. The yearly price tag of Alzheimer's Disease? $172 billion per year.

Please join Home Care Assistance of New Jersey as we honor the victims of Alzheimer's Disease and their loved ones by observing Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Day. Wear purple to show your support. Together we can turn New Jersey in to a sea of purple on Monday, November 1st!