Alzheimer’s and its effects on caregivers

 Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common chronic & degenerative disease affecting the brain. It affects 50-60% of people who suffer from Dementia, the umbrella term for diseases affecting the brain. 

Dementia causes damage to the nerve cells in the brain so they cannot communicate effectively and this impacts the brain's ability to think, remember, learn, and even changes a person's behavior and emotions. Although it’s common in elderly people aged 65+, there have been cases of early-onset Alzheimer’s affecting individuals aged 65 and below.

Symptoms of a person suffering from Alzheimer's may include:

• Loss of memory-one of the first symptoms
• Difficulty in finding the right words or understanding what people are saying
• Trouble performing/taking longer to perform familiar tasks
• Getting lost/wandering
• Trouble recognizing family and friends

Globally, Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) affects more than 44 million people worldwide, while it afflicts 5.7 million people in the United States alone. Over time, an individual affected by Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) will be unable to care for themselves and will need caregivers to help with all aspects of their day-to-day life.

Due to the long-term care Alzheimer’s patients need, caregivers also end up suffering from caregiver burden, resulting in them being labeled as the hidden patients of Alzheimer's. The largest number of caregivers are spouses, followed by children and children-in-law, mostly female. In the USA and across the world, women are the most important caregiving group for Alzheimer’s patients.

As a result, caregivers face: 

Exhaustion & Mental Regression

Caregivers face physical exhaustion, and emotional and mental problems including depression, anxiety, stress, hopelessness, isolation & guilt.

Economic Burden

An increase in healthcare costs of Alzheimer’s patients becomes further challenging when these patients also have other chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.

Physical Disease of Caregiver

Most caregivers have very little time for themselves, as looking after an Alzheimer’s patient is a round-the-clock job. As a result, they are at an increased risk of various health problems including cardiovascular problems (diabetes, arthritis, ulcers, and anemia) commonly treated chronic diseases, headaches, nausea, and insomnia. 

Increased Responsibility

Caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients have reported increased life responsibilities, as they try to balance work, family, and caregiver responsibilities. These caused them more likely to be fired resulting in low economic levels.

Declined social functions

Caregivers often lack social contact and support. Due to the long hours & heavy burdens they have, they tend to sacrifice their leisure pursuits and hobbies, restrict time with friends and family, and give up or reduce employment. They end up experiencing feelings of social isolation. 

Support is not only needed for the Alzheimer’s patient but increasingly more so for the caregiver. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. 

Ways you can offer this support include:

• Helping with daily living needs and housework
• Emotional support such as listening to them, visiting with them
• Informational support such as joining support groups