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“I couldn’t tell anyone, not because I thought it was something to be ashamed of, but because if I said it out loud it would become real and then I’d be guided towards the ‘awful authorities’, inquisitive people who would want to know all our business, who would take over, tell me ‘not to worry’ - ‘it will be alright etc,” writes Stella Woodgett. “I’d be persuaded to join ‘Carer’s Groups’ and have to listen to the scary stories of people who were further along this road, about how terrible it becomes and how Ken and I had no future to look forward to.” Eventually she spoke out to friends, who encouraged her to look into Alzheimers support. When she finally agreed to it, she found that no one patronized her and there was much to gain from an Alzheimers support group, including new tips on how to manage tasks and emotions.

The first type of support involves the Alzheimers patient who may suffer only mild symptoms. If you fear your loved one is feeling confused and lonely, then you may want to enlist “Companion Services,” which helps with supervision, recreation or visits. If your loved one is in a more progressive Alzheimers stage but refuses a home, then you can call on “Personal Care Services” to help with bathing, dressing, toileting and exercising. If you can afford time to care for your loved one but cannot upkeep two homes, then a “Homemaker Service” will ensure a clean, fresh environment for Alzheimers patients. Some Medicaid programs offer a home caregiver program subsidized by the state. Additionally, community services available through the Department of Aging can offer senior center activities, transportation services, meals on wheels, legal assistance, home repair programs and counseling services.

Another type of Alzheimers support is a nursing home, for those Alzheimers patients who may be very far along in their condition. Making the decision to put a loved one in an Alzheimers home is never an easy one, but sometimes there is only so much you can do. There is acute rehabilitation for Alzheimers patients who may have come from hospital care and long-term care that may be Medicare-eligible. Eventually, you may need to move your loved one into hospice care, where end-of-life monitoring and care can be provided. It’s important that you seek support for yourself during these difficult months or years as well, since nearly two-thirds of all caregivers reportedly suffer from depression, anticipatory grief and fear of loss.

Furthermore, “Respite Care” is a type of short term Alzheimers support that allows the Alzheimers caregiver a brief break to rest, relax or finish other tasks, without worrying about their loved one’s happiness or wellbeing. Since most caregivers are not paid nurses or doctors, they wind up feeling overloaded from constantly juggling work responsibilities and child rearing with the constant medical needs of their relative. To avoid stretching yourself too thin, you can get care at home through an agency or you can take your loved one to a specialized adult day care/community service center. Here they will participate in enjoyable activities centered around art, music, exercise, film or group discussions. Since there is no cure, this may be the best support available for the Alzheimers patient.

For more articles and information about Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, go here: Alzheimer’s Disease

By Health Editor