Resources to Support the Caregiver

Alzheimer disease affects families. The caregiving spouses, children and other relatives and friends who take care of Alzheimer victims need support. Their caregiving burden is often a 24 hour a day, 365 day a year job. Many caregivers are hesitant to seek support and must be encouraged to make use of these valuable resources:

• Adult Day Health Care
• Respite Care
• Home Health Care
• Alzheimer Disease Support Groups

Adult Day Health Care

Adult Day Health Care Centers provide daytime care for Alzheimer victims allowing the caregiver to go to work or to conduct other activities while the patients are being cared for. The locations of Adult Day Health Care Centers near you can be obtained from the local agencies listed below. They can be contacted through your yellow pages or by clicking on the links below.

Respite Care

Respite Care Centers offer the caregiver the opportunity to have extended time away from the Alzheimer patient. Since the average course of Alzheimer disease is 7 years, it is critical that caregivers make use of Respite Care to refresh themselves so that they can continue effective caregiving. The locations of Respite Care Centers near you can be obtained from the local agencies listed below. They can be contacted through your yellow pages or via the links below.

Home Health Care

Home Health Care agencies offer a number of services to assist in caring for Alzheimer patients. These include housekeeping, shopping, nursing and companion services. These services can be provided 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. If you are at a distance from the relative or friend with Alzheimer disease, case managers can be hired to co-ordinate care for you at the client's home. Your local Home Health Care agencies can be found in the yellow pages or by going to the below websites.

Alzheimer Disease Support Groups

Many caregivers feel isolated, overwhelmed and depressed. It is important for them to know that they are not alone, that there are others who share the difficult burden of providing care for Alzheimer victims. Support groups provide the opportunity for caregivers to share helpful caregiving hints. Caregivers can also learn about additional resources available to them from their peers. For the location of the Alzheimer Disease Support group near you, click on the following sites: