Are you an Alzheimer’s disease caregiver? Last year, friends and families of those with Alzheimer’s Disease provided an estimated 17.9 billion hours of unpaid care, a contribution to the nation valued at $217.7 billion dollars.
An Alzheimer’s disease caregiver does this because they are committed to keeping their loved one at home, the cost of care outside the home is not affordable or out of responsibility as a spouse or adult child.
Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver: When Caring Takes its Toll
However, this 24/7 care takes a toll on an Alzheimer‘s disease caregiver – nearly 60 percent rate the emotional stress of caregiving as high or very high – and almost 50% suffer from clinical depression. The physical and emotional toll of caregiving added 9.7 billion in additional health care costs for their own health issues.
Many family caregivers whom we have called the “well spouse” or healthy adult child end up with chronic illnesses as a result of their “overcaring”. So, for every person diagnosed with this disease you have at least one other person also affected physically by the journey of care.
If you have even an inkling that you might be suffering from a memory loss condition or someone you love might, getting a diagnosis early allows you to plan together for the journey of care so that quality of life can be maintained. Preparation and planning can make life much easier for both the person suffering from Alzheimer’s and the Alzheimer’s disease caregiver.
Eldercare Services will be conducting “Memory Screenings” the entire week of November 2nd. Give us a call at 925-937-2018 and we can schedule a confidential screening by one of our Professional Care Managers/Aging Life Care Experts. We are located at 1808 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek, CA 94595.
For more information, click here to download the flyer.
