As Americans continue to live longer and the prevalence of Alzheimer’s and other dementias continues to escalate, it is critical that home care providers be able to identify cognitive impairment and effective interventions for the person and the family.  According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2010 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, approximately 70 percent of people with dementia or cognitive impairment are living at home.

Importance of Early Detection

Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, to receive the best care possible it is important that a person be diagnosed as early in the disease process as possible.  An early diagnosis allows the individual and family to benefit from available treatments, plan for the future, settle legal and financial matters, discover available services, complete an advance directive, participate in clinical trials and address safety and security issues before a crisis occurs.

Home care providers can help individuals and families to understand the warning signs and when it is time to see a doctor.  The Alzheimer’s Association recently updated its 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s, which can be used as an educational and public awareness tool.  The Warning Signs capture the multiple cognitive domains that can be affected by dementia and translate the diagnostic criteria into language patients and families can understand. To learn the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s, visit www.alz.org/10signs.

Living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

Home care providers can help provide some guidance for living with the disease.  People with dementia should be encouraged to continue or begin daily physical exercise and to follow a nutritious diet while maintaining regular doctor visits and managing other medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.  An important aspect of living with the disease is maintaining overall well-being engaging in mental and social activities.

The caregiver experience includes significant physical, emotional and financial demands, although it is different for each individual.  The experience is impacted by a variety of factors, including the caregiver’s ability to adjust to the diagnosis and to be comfortable in a new role, and the progression of the disease. It is a process of redefining relationship with the person and grieving the loss of who they were.

Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease poses special challenges and increasing levels of care that can be taxing on the caregiver’s well being. Caregivers are at risk of becoming socially isolated and withdrawn, which can lead to other problems such as depression and anger.  It is important that a home care provider watch for signs of stress and offer ways and tools to help ensure the caregiver’s health.  The Alzheimer’s Association offers a Caregiver Stress Check on its website at http://www.alz.org/stresscheck/overview.asp?type=homepage.

Caregivers typically respond well to hands-on training that provides the necessary skills for managing the changes that occur with a dementia diagnosis.  Other interventions include supportive listening, support groups, educational programs, grief counseling, and respite care.

For more information on Alzheimer’s disease, visit the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org or call the 24/7 toll-free helpline at 1-800-272-3900.

Elizabeth Gould, MSW, LCSW, is a director at the Alzheimer’s Association, national office in Chicago, IL. She may be reached at [email protected].

Elizabeth Gould, Director
Alzheimer’s Association