Ad 2

The Alzheimer’s disease caregivers have more specific responsibilities than caregivers who deal with regular patients. The influence that this disease has on caregivers varies from emotional distress like feeling guilt and anger, all the way up to financial and health issues.

What Does Caregiving Look Like Today?

According to a survey from last year, caregivers provide 17.6 billions hours of care for their elderly. It is hard to believe that 85% of these hours are unpaid. Mostly, because they are produced by family members or close friends. Another interesting fact, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, is that most of these hours are done in by women caregivers. 63% of caregivers are women, and in a majority of cases, they take care of their spouse.

The job of every caregiver is to assist with various activities, from household duties to providing transportation and giving medical care. Alzheimer’s disease caregivers are known for their dedication to completing all of these tasks. Unlike other caregivers, Alzheimer disease caregivers have more hours put in for the simple reason that Alzheimer patients do need care 24/7. Also, their attention outlasts caregivers that have patients with different conditions.

Ad 6
Alzheimer disease caregivers
Ad 5

Source: www.lbhf.gov.uk

So Why Does It Have an Effect?

With all difficulties that come when dealing with Alzheimer’s, it’s not unusual for caregivers to be under stress or fall into depression. Due to physical pressure of this type of caregiving, the health of Alzheimer’s disease caregivers suffers in the long run. Also, it can lead to various financial problems.

Emotionally, the caregiver suffers the most when the time comes for their loved one to be transferred to an assisted living facility. Due to the stress that comes with the job, caregivers can be angry with the patient, which later causes the feeling of guilt.

Physically, problems appear due to hours dedicated to the patient. Often working over your abilities and losing sleep can weaken your immune system. Later it can lead to various health issues, or even irreparably damage your well being.

Financially the problems appear when a person becomes a full-time Alzheimer’s disease caregiver. Taking leave of absence, free days or unpaid, are just phases of being an Alzheimer’s disease caregivers. In the end, many are forced to leave their jobs.

Featured Image Source: www.mamashealth.com