Nearly 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, which is a “type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks,” according to the Alzheimer’s Association. One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Are you caring for your senior parent or loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia? “More than 16 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. These caregivers provided an estimated 18.5 billion hours of care valued at nearly $234 billion,” according to the Alzheimer’s Association. In California, more than 1.6 million caregivers provided more than 1.8 billion hours of unpaid care. Compared with caregivers of people without dementia, twice as many caregivers of those with dementia indicate emotional, financial, and physical difficulties.
Caregivers of senior parents or loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia frequently report experiencing high levels of stress. It can be overwhelming to take care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other dementia, but too much stress can be harmful to both of you. Are you stressed out? Are you feeling isolated and depressed because you’re caring for your senior parent? Here are the 10 symptoms of caregiver stress, provided by the Alzheimer’s Association:
- Denial about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and its effect on your aging parent or loved one who has been diagnosed.
- Anger at your senior parent living with with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia or frustration that your senior parent can’t do the things they used to be able to do.
- Social withdrawal from friends and activities that used to make you feel good.
- Anxiety about the future and facing another day.
- Depression that breaks your spirit and affects your ability to cope.
- Exhaustion that makes it nearly impossible to complete necessary daily tasks.
- Sleeplessness caused by a never-ending list of concerns.
- Irritability that leads to moodiness and triggers negative responses and actions.
- Lack of concentration that makes it difficult to perform familiar tasks.
- Health problems that begin to take a mental and physical toll.
If you are caring for your senior parent living with Alzheimer’s disease and you are experiencing any of the symptoms of stress on a regular basis, contact your doctor. Caregiver stress can also lead to depression. The symptoms of depression include:
- Becoming easily agitated or frustrated
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Thoughts of death, dying, or suicide
- Disturbed sleep
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and pain
If you’re also experiencing symptoms of depression, contact your doctor.
Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia force family caregivers to tread new and unfamiliar roles when caring for senior parents. Managing the health and well being of a senior parent with Alzheimer’s disease is an enormous burden to endure. Frequently, family caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients are often forced to give up their work, hobbies, and responsibilities in order care for a family member with the disease.
As your senior parent’s progression worsens, their need for consistent, professional care increases. If you’re acting as your parent’s only source of care, the quality of the care you provide can be compromised as you experience increased stress levels and depression. If you’re shouldering the caregiver load and getting burned out, ask for help by calling SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona, Riverside, and Anaheim Hills. SYNERGY HomeCare’s in-home caregivers are trained to provide your senior loved one with top-notch care, and offer a wide variety of care services to ensure that your senior parent is comfortable, healthy, and safe. Our services include:
- Personal assistance care: Bathing, showering, using the restroom, getting in and out of bed, wheelchairs, etc.
- Errands and transportation: Driving to the doctor’s office or an appointment, picking up prescriptions, going grocery shopping, etc.
- Meal assistance: Complete and nutritious meal planning, preparing, and cleanup
- Light housekeeping: Assistance with laundry, ironing, changing linens, kitchen/bathroom cleaning and organizing, etc.
- Companionship: Encouraging friendly and supportive conversation, active thinking (structuring pastimes, hobbies and games), light exercise, etc.
About SYNERGY HomeCare of Anaheim Hills
SYNERGY HomeCare of Anaheim Hills is the name you can trust in Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Yorba Linda, Tustin, Santa Ana, Orange and Placentia for personal home care. SYNERGY HomeCare of Anaheim Hills is part of a national franchise of non-medical home care offices dedicated to providing exceptional and affordable service to anyone of any age. SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers are available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, to those in need – including seniors, expectant moms, those suffering from sports injuries and debilitating illnesses, and more. SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona & Riverside can be found online at http://www.synergyhomecare.com/agencies/ca/anaheim-hills/ca25
