Quality of life for both the individual with dementia and the caregiver make for better outcomes. The importance of finding a balance between responsibilities in the home, as a provider and to outstanding obligations outside of the home may feel like a juggling act. The Merck Manual of Geriatrics suggests that caregivers pull their resources in order to keep the relationship healthy, decrease stress load and to recognize signs that tasks need to be delegated to others.
General Assistance
Recognizing that tasks may need to be delegated to others remains an integral part of the healthy care giving relationship. The Family Caregiver Handbook suggests contacting local visiting nurses, volunteer organizations and disease-affiliated organizations for patient/caregiver support education, CPR and First Aid course offerings, support groups and available services in the area. The Department of Health and Human Services in each state can offer Adult Protective Services, food assistance, financial assistance, counseling, medical and respite services. See the Resources section below for the Medicare assistance link.
Adult Day Care
For many caregivers, the responsibility at home proves just one of many. If that means working outside of the home 8 hours a day, raising children, holding down the fort and managing the finances. The Alzheimer's Association defines adult day care services as similar to traditional child day care facilities in that they provide a healthy and safe environment that requires a license and accountability to the state. Adult Day Care programs include activities, close care and supervision, meals and socialization needs for dementia patients. Most have standard hours of operation between 7am and 6pm. This is a community-based, fee-for-service program.
Respite Services
Respite care typically provides a temporary break from caregiver duties, unless the caregiver has been removed forcibly for abuse or neglectful behavior. One method of respite care occurs in the home environment, which allows the full-time caregiver an opportunity to run errands and manage self-care needs.
ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center details two separate forms of respite services: temporary relief in a respite care facility and emergency respite care. Temporary respite includes an arranged visit to a nursing home, residential care or assisted living facility. This provides overnight, weekend and extended stay care services while allowing the caregiver necessary time away from duties. Emergency respite care is generally ordered out of dire need and with the health and safety of the patient in mind. In the event that the home becomes unhealthy for the patient, Adult Protective Services will intervene, and forcibly remove the patient from their environment and place them in an undisclosed equivalent to a nursing home.
References
- "Merck Manual of Geriatrics: Chapter 40, Dementia"; 2010
- "The Family Caregiver Cargiver Handbook: MIT Workplace Center, Caregiver Support Resources and Services"; 2007
- "Alzheimer's Association: Type of Care, Adult Day Care"; 2010
- "ARCH National Respite Network & Resource Center: Fact Sheet Number 55"; Apr 2002
