Some Benefits of Adult Daycare for the Caregiver.

(picture from ElderCarelink)
ElderCarelink sent a post reminding us of how important it is for the caregiver to take a break. According to their post, a journal called The Gerontologist, found that people taking care of elders with dementia had less stress when the elders took advantage of adult day care services. The research was done by Stephen Zarit from Pennsylvania State University, who found many benefits for those taking advantage of these services.

Caregivers found: lower care-related stresses, better experiences during the day, lower anger levels, reduces non-care stressors that could lead to depression.

There were advantages for the elderly parent / family member as well. Read On .......

5 Issues That Caregivers May Come Up Against.

Caring.com wrote about 5 things that can sabotage a family caregiver and possible solutions. All are things that you hear people talk about constantly; things that I too came up against. Being an only child, I found it hard sometimes to find someone to take my place with mom -- my boys were teenagers, with one being special needs, so they found it uncomfortable when they would stay and have to POSSIBLY contend with a bathroom issue. They were good with the helping of snacks or the extra hand or arm to move around but the fear was there for personal toileting. Needless to say, I never wandered too far. I had a couple of female friends who could help, but they had their own family issues.

Anyway - back to the Caring.com story. Here are the 5 issues that 'can sabotage family caregivers':

1 - lack of privacy: there is mental and physical privacy. There should be spots to go to for personal time and time for the rest of the immediate family outside of the person/parent you are taking care of. This may be hard to do if the parent/person is living with you. Also if this person has dementia or Alzheimer's, there are times when the loved one may do inappropriate things due to the his/her mental status, disinhibition. Possible solutions?? If possible, the live-in person may be able to have his/her own space to sleep, watch TV, or make household rules for using TVs, radios, the kitchen, etc. Make sure you make time for your own immediate family (the parent or whoever does not always come first) and make sure you still take vacation time - use respite care or other relatives to share in the caretaking. If there is a problem with disinhibition or aggression, use locks or check with the physician to discuss medications or ways to help with these issues. Depending on how serious these become and the safety of the rest of the family, you may need to consider placement.
2 - sleep deprivation: for the live-in elderly family member or the caregiver, this can be hard on everyone's mental and physical health. The elder whose sleep issues are addressed will experience better mood, more energy, and less pain; sleep is closely connected with all three conditions. And the caregiver who makes his or her own sleep a priority will be better able to cope with caregiving stresses and will have more energy for every part of life. Possible Solutions?? No stimulating beverages, electronics, have a dark and quiet room with a bed. Check medications with a doctor. While a mixed-up sleep cycle is NOT normal for aging, it may be an issue with dementia.
3 - the lone soldier syndrome: a lot of people feel like they are on their own, without a way to 'vent' or be themselves. Possible solutions?? Needing other people to help is NOT a sign of weakness - ask!!Join a caregivers group either through a local organization or online. See a counselor if you find yourself depressed. Finally - again - find ways to get time for yourself on a regular basis.
4 - not anticipating what is coming next: you need to step back and see the big picture and not just handling issues as they come uup. Possible solutions?? Make contingency plans - if this happens, then that should happen. Make a list of people or organizations to contact if you need an answer. Talk to your parent's doctor about their condition and what may happen down the
road; ask others who done the same thing. If there is dementia, check Caring.com program for advice. Consider a support group.
5 - overwhelming care tasks: heavy lifting, incontinence, and wandering take their toll. Possible Solutions?? Check with your parent's doctor for possible help with incontinence. Find locks, alarms or ways to reduce anxiety for wandering. Get help in the home and brainstorm with others for ways to solve your issues. Don't feel guilty if you are thinking about placement out of the home.

Think about your issues and I hope that some or all of the above can help or lead you to help.

5 Signs to Tell if Memory Issues are a Problem.

(picture from Caring.com)
Reading an article on Caring.com regarding memory loss that reminds us that our brains start to deteriorate in our late 20s. (oh my!!!)There are some signs that are more worrisome and should be looked into. Use your own memory as a baseline, do not compare to others.

Sign #1: Your memory problems frighten you. We all forget and we all have looked for our car in a different part of the parking lot. Be careful when you get uneasy about forgetting like wondering how the keys got in the refrigerator, or how you ended up on the street you find yourself on or have no idea where you are.

Sign #2: You've changed how you work or play because of memory problems. "A hallmark distinction between normal memory loss and dementia is that the symptoms interfere with your ability to conduct everyday life."You now make to-do lists, send multiple emails for the same thing, give up a hobby because nothing is turning out right or give up driving under certain conditions.

Sign #3: Friends or family point out mistakes and/or express concern.You repeat short stories or ask the same questions several times usually using the same exact words. You might be more withdrawn or apathetic, and there are changes in how you do your daily chores. "What happens is that relatives notice mistakes, and you -- the person with memory loss -- find yourself constantly in arguments with people about what you said or did," geriatric psychiatrist Robbins explains. "You're on the defensive a lot."

Sign #4: "You notice friends or family starting to cover for you. People start stepping in to do things for you that you normally do - pay for something, drive, order, taking care of money issues, to name a few.

Sign #5: You find it hard to make choices.It takes longer to make decisions even when it comes to food at a buffet or movie.
"If you used to be a definitive person and now you can't work your way through choices, that's a red flag," psychiatrist Ken Robbins says. "Choosing involves enough cognitive powers -- remembering what you like, thinking about how the options differ, and thinking about what you want now -- that it's a problem that shows up early on."

Cost to Caregivers Relative to Dementia Patients.

I found an article on the "A Place for Mom" website describing what it costs caregivers and/or families in monies, caring for those with dementia. They have facts and figures from the Alzheimer's Association from 2012. I found it amazing that 1 in 3 seniors die with some form of dementia. This write-up has so much information that I think it best if I copy it here.

"Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia have a devastating impact not only on the health of older adults, but also on the well-being of caregivers—and on the government programs tasked with shouldering much of the cost burden. In 2013, the total cost of caring for Americans with Alzheimer’s is expected to rise to $203 billion, about two-thirds of which is accounted for by Medicare and Medicaid. And that’s just the monetary cost. The non-fiscal impact on families and caregivers is just as staggering, taking its toll on physical and emotional health. We took an in-depth look at the Alzheimer’s Association’s latest annual report, 2013 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, and below is a summary of the major facts everyone should know about the current state of Alzheimer’s and dementia in America.

How Many Americans Have Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, but other conditions such as frontotemporal lobe degeneration and Parkinson’s disease can also cause dementia. In 2013, 5.2 million Americans are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease, 5 million of whom are aged 65 or older. That adds up to 11 percent of adults 65 and older, and 32 percent of people 85 and older who have the disease. The overall numbers for dementia are more difficult to pinpoint, but the Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study (ADAMS) estimates that 13.9 percent of Americans over age 71 have dementia.

The incidence of Alzheimer’s increases dramatically with age, and the overall numbers are expected to rise due to the large baby boomer population reaching age 65. There are a few complicating factors to these numbers, though. The major problem is that, currently, Alzheimer’s disease is under-diagnosed. As many as half of the 5.2 million people with the disease may not know they have it. However, new criteria for Alzheimer’s diagnosis were adopted in 2011, including criteria for detecting Alzheimer’s in the preclinical stage using biomarker tests and other cutting-edge science.

How Many People Die of Alzheimer’s Disease?

Deaths from other major causes have been decreasing, but deaths from AD are on the rise. Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in America, and the 5th leading cause of death in seniors age 65 and older. But it’s very hard to pinpoint the exact number of deaths from Alzheimer’s. Currently, the CDC only counts those for whom Alzheimer’s is listed as the primary cause of death. However, if someone with Alzheimer’s dies from an acute condition such as pneumonia or malnutrition—conditions that may be a direct result of Alzheimer’s—they may not be included in the tally of AD deaths.

For instance, in 2010, the most recent year for which data is available, 83,494 people died from Alzheimer’s, but approximately 400,000 people died with Alzheimer’s. Also, having Alzheimer’s dramatically increases the likelihood of death, regardless of the recorded cause: 61 percent of people with AD are expected to die before age 80, compared to 30 percent of those unaffected.

A Portrait of Alzheimer’s Caregivers

80 percent of caregivers for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia are unpaid caregivers, usually family members—that translates to more than 15 million people. 62 percent of those are women, and nearly half are taking care of a parent. Caregivers of people with dementia usually assist more extensively than other types of caregivers, helping with mobility, feeding and toileting as well as dealing with behavioral problems associated with dementia. On average, each caregiver provides 21.9 hours of unpaid care per week, for an estimated economic value of $216.4 billion. Many caregivers suffer from high emotional stress, as well as financial strain, job stress and other difficulties, as a direct result of caregiving.

In this year’s Alzheimer’s Association report, special focus was placed on long-distance caregiving. For caregivers of someone with dementia who was 50 years of age or older, about 15% of those must travel an hour or more to reach the care recipient. About one in five long-distance caregivers is a primary caregiver, helping with the same activities of daily life that local caregivers do. However, long-distance caregivers face more pronounced difficulties with coordinating care, communicating with providers and other family members, and handling care expenses, among other things.

The Cost of Dementia Care in America

The number of seniors with dementia is projected to increase over the coming years, so it’s not much of a surprise that the overall amount spent on care is expected to balloon, too. The aggregate cost of care for people with Alzheimer’s is estimated at $203 billion for 2013; Medicare and Medicaid account for $142 billion (about 70 percent) of that amount, while out-of-pocket expenses account for $34 billion.

Per person, that amounts to an average of $45,657 per year of health care dollars spent on dementia sufferers, compared to $14,452 per year for those without dementia. Dementia’s cost can be even higher if the person is in a residential facility. Scary as those numbers may be, experts estimate the overall spending on people with Alzheimer’s or dementia to rise to $1.2 trillion in 2050. The good news is, with accurate knowledge of the situation regarding dementia in America, government agencies, health care providers, caregivers and families will be better able to plan for a future in which the growing number of people with Alzheimer’s can be quickly diagnosed and treated with all the tools currently at our disposal."

Looking for Ways to be Healthier and Reduce Dementia Risk?

(picture from 'A Place for Mom' website)

As we all know, dementia & Alzheimer's are diseases that we cannot control. The medical community has been pushing for ALL of us to eat better and smarter to try and avoid MANY types of diseases. So following their recommendations, which I grant changes often sometimes, we could all live healthier lives. So doctors, of course, suggest that our elderly parents eat better (look at any specific diet based on a medical condition - that too can be made better tasting) which will not only help them in general but could help reduce getting a memory loss condition.

Six ways to reduce your dementia risk:
*Live a heart healthy lifestyle - basically it means to exercise regularly, no smoking, eat a heart healthy diet (low fat, low sugar, lots of veggies).
*Use your brain - some researchers feel those with higher educational levels are less apt to get dementia or Alzheimer's. Their 'cognitive reserves' help to beat these diseases. I think a lot of studies have shown that those who stay mentally active can help keep their minds fresh.
*Protect your head - serious head trauma and loss of consciousness can aid in the future risk of Alzheimer's. Wear your seat belt, a bike helmet, and make sure homes are safe for those who may have eye or mobility problems.
*Moderate your alcohol use - the study says it found that in 2008, many dementia cases stem from alcohol abuse. It also reports that if you drink red wine for cardiovascular reasons, now it seems non-alcoholic red wine is the better way to go.
*Reduce stress and spend more time with friends - the Alzheimer's Association says it is not quite sure why an active social life and mental stimulation seems to protect the brain but it does. The active social life also helps longevity, happiness and good health.
*Get enough sleep - 'A September 2012 study found strong evidence indicating that the sleep-wake cycle helps to clear the brain of the amyloid plaques that are thought to cause Alzheimer’s, and another study from October 2012 found that healthy adults who report trouble sleeping have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s in the future. Research on sleep and memory that was published only a few days ago in the journal Nature Neuroscience seems to further affirm that when older people sleep poorly it can prevent them from “storing” memories and lead to dementia symptoms.' Strong words - something to think about. Just remember - you have to remember to think about it!!! Which is why we should all be doing the above.