Understanding Family Caregiver Issues

Article submitted by Dianne Boazman, LCSW, CMC; Betty Landreaux, LCSW, CMC; and Jo Ann White, BSN, of Care Management Solutions and Home Care Solutions, Metairie, Louisiana.
For more information, visit their website: www.caremanagementsolutions.net.

It is believed by some that family caregivers abandon their older relatives when it is no longer convenient to care for them at home. Studies show otherwise. Most families view caring for their elderly relative as a "family affair." Some researchers have shown that families provide 75%-80% of the care of people with Alzheimer's Disease.

Caring for an individual with dementia can become a 24/7 job. Beyond the stress and fatigue, there is often joy and a feeling of accomplishment experienced by many family caregivers. The family responsibility is constant, even if their loved one is placed in a nursing home. The needs of the caregiver are often neglected. If stress and pressure continue, the situation can become overwhelming, leading to caregiver burnout.

When an individual has Alzheimer's Disease, the course of the illness is unpredictable. Most families will need to plan for a long, drawn-out illness.

There may be family hardships as a result of needed adjustments, as well as a series of emotional responses on the part of the family.

• As the memory-impaired person declines, common issues faced by families include:
• The family caregiver may need to work fewer hours or quit altogether.
• The house may need to be remodeled to accommodate the needs of the memory-impaired person.
• Professional assistance may be needed for planning or in-home care.
• Duties, roles, responsibilities of the memory-impaired person may need to be relinquished.
• The family caregiver may experience feelings of grief, fear, guilt and at times, helplessness.

There are various options available to the family caregivers. Support Groups, educational materials, respite care programs such as Adult Day Care, and sitter/companion services are some. Associations for the specific disease are a great resource. Many families utilize informal support networks found through their church, neighbors and friends. The choices that families make for help are personal. They are to be commended for their strength and courage shown in caring for their loved one who has a memory impairment.