Alzheimer Caregivers Steps to Success

Steps to succss for caregivers

Washington, D.C. - Every day, at least five million American families are taking care of a loved one that has Alzheimer's disease. Every caregiving situation presents its own special challenge, but making the decision to bring a professional paid caregiver into the home for the first time is particularly hard.

While many personal care needs of older people are taken care of by family and friends (particularly daughters and daughters-in-law), the availability of these caregivers is affected by other family obligations, work demands and the emotional burden of caregiving.

That's why the AARP Andrus Foundation produced, Steps to Success: Decisions about Help at Home for Alzheimer's Caregivers, an easy-to-read guide for anyone concerned with a person living at home who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia.

"The majority of first-time in-home workers do not work out for families of Alzheimer's patients," said John Feather, Ph.D., director of the AARP Andrus Foundation. "This booklet provides families with practical ideas and tools to help them understand what a home health aide does, steps to hiring the right home care worker and to have the confidence to allow someone to assist their loved one while giving themselves a needed break."

Based on the findings of research conducted for the Foundation at the Duke Center for Aging by Lisa Gwyther, Edna Ballard and Juliessa Pavon, the investigators interviewed 150 family caregivers participating in the National Longitudinal Caregiver Study of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The publication uses quotes from many of the participants to help paint a picture of the life of a caregiver. Statements such as "My husband could not be trusted to be left alone. His behavior had become unpredictable," are addressed with concrete suggestions and resources for when and where to start looking for outside help. The most unique aspect of this publication lies in its commitment to providing a balanced and realistic view of the challenging process of selecting a home care provider.

The booklet, Steps to Success: Decisions about Help at Home for Alzheimer's Caregivers, can be downloaded as a pdf document or you can call AARP Fulfillment and request publication D17623. The AARP Andrus Foundation provides knowledge and education through research that helps the growing population concerned with aging find solutions to the challenges of aging and approaches to retaining independence and dignity throughout life.

Established in 1968 as a memorial to Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, the Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization affiliated with the AARP.