Caregiver Concerns At Different Stages Of The Disease

Presented by Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease of the brain that results in a decline in the ability to remember, learn, make judgments, and perform daily tasks. If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, you are most certainly not alone. Estimates are that 4.5 million Americans currently have Alzheimer’s disease, and more than 7 of 10 of them live at home, where family members and friends provide the majority of their care.

Since Alzheimer’s disease can last as long as 20 years, it can be helpful to look at it in terms of 3 stages:

Mild (or Early Stage)
Moderate (or Mid Stage)
Severe (or Late Stage)

This page will give you an overview of some steps you can take to provide care at each stage of Alzheimer’s disease. You can use the links listed to learn more.

For more information, click on the links below:

ID.A.D. Resource Kit request

AlzheimersDisease.com: Alzheimer’s Disease Basics

AlzheimersDisease.com: Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

Early Stage

Most people at this stage can still manage many of their daily activities themselves. But they may need some help and support to stay organized or to complete tasks. As a family caregiver, it may be helpful to:

• Learn as much as you can about Alzheimer’s disease by contacting organizations or reading more about it
• Work with your loved one’s health care provider to find the right treatment, which includes medication along with ongoing support and education
• Begin planning now for the future. Think about the legal and financial issues you may face down the road, such as deciding about power of attorney. Talk about these things so that the person with Alzheimer’s disease can be actively involved
• Seek and consider joining a support group in your area or online for family caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease

For more information, click on the links below:

AlzheimersDisease.com: Legal and Financial Issues

AlzheimersDisease.com: Changing Roles and Relationships

AlzheimersDisease.com: Alzheimer’s Disease Resources

NFCA Ten Tips for Family Caregivers

Top

Mid Stage

The focus at this stage of caregiving is on creating comfortable routines and ensuring safety. As a family caregiver, it may be helpful to:

• Develop a comfortable daily routine that you can adapt as needed
• Make the home environment safe. Secure anything that could pose a danger
• If wandering is a problem, make sure that the person always wears an identification or medical bracelet. Consider signing up for the Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return program
• Find out about adult day services as a way of providing activities for the person with Alzheimer’s disease and respite for yourself

Late Stage

The focus at this stage is on providing physical care and finding new ways to communicate and stay connected. As a family caregiver, it may be helpful to:

• Arrange for help with daily care. It may be necessary to consider paid home care services or placement in a skilled nursing facility so that full-time care can be provided
• Call on your sources of support often as you go through this stage of caregiving