Caregivers Health a Concern in New Study (VIDEO)

General Posted by anthony Date February 7, 2012

Alzheimers From the Frontline Shows What Needs to Be Done to Combat Disease (VIDEO)

General Posted by anthony Date February 6, 2012

Caregivers Health a Concern in New Study

General Posted by anthony Date February 6, 2012

Caregiving Costs: Declining Health in the Alzheimeräó»s Caregiver as Dementia Increases in the Care Recipient released by the National Alliance for Caregiving shows a significant decrease in family caregiver health over time and increased personal healthcare costs, as their care recipientäó»s dementia increases.æ

The study was conducted by examining the use of formal health services in a large sample of Alzheimeräó»s Disease (AD) caregivers.

The findings suggest that the strain of caring for someone with AD can cause family caregivers to use health care services at higher rates than non-caregivers of the same age.æ

Caregivers showed a 25% increase in the utilization of all types of services combined over the 18-month time period of the study.
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The results suggest that caregiver assessments would be valuable in identifying those at risk of having their own health decline.
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The report also suggests that primary care doctors should be sensitive to whether their middle-aged and older patients are family caregivers. They should be asking äóìAre you caring for a relative or friend?äó as a potential risk factor that may cause stress or even physical strain.

This is not surprising. Past studies have shown that caregiver health is often worse than the health of the person they are caring for and in fact there is a significant percentage of caregivers who die before they one they are caring for passes.

Do you know who is caring for an elderly relative in your community? Reach out and help if you can.

Alzheimer’s Report Addresses Action Steps for National Alzheimer’s Plan

General Posted by anthony Date February 3, 2012

Alzheimeräó»s from the Frontlines: Challenges a National Alzheimeräó»s Plan Must Address is a collective effort to share the real and unrelenting struggles that must be addressed in the National Alzheimeräó»s Plan now being created through the implementation of the National Alzheimeräó»s Project Act (NAPA).æ

The Alzheimeräó»s Association and its more than 70 Chapters nationwide hosted over 130 public input sessions, a NAPA web site, and a national Telephone Town Hall to learn what Americans need in a bold and transformational plan. From their input, 10 major challenges emerged. The following is excerpted from the report.

A lack of public awareness.
This includes a lack of knowledge and widespread misunderstanding about Alzheimeräó»s; significant stigma and negative experiences that affect personal and professional relationships; and a poor understanding of the scope of the disease.

Insufficient research funding.
Because thereäó»s no way to prevent, stop or slow the progression of Alzheimeräó»s, many expressed feelings of powerlessness to help themselves or future generations and called for bold action to secure a brighter future.

Difficulties with diagnosis.
Challenges lead to delayed diagnosis, poor experiences in the diagnostic process, missed opportunities to immediately connect families with available support and alack of documentation in a patientäó»s primary medical record.

Poor dementia care.
Communication barriers with health care providers and allied health professionals, care coordination issues with providers, and a lack of knowledgeable personnel equipped to meet the unique needs posed by Alzheimeräó»s and other dementias results in poor quality of care.

Inadequate treatments.
Effectiveness of available drugs varies across the population, but none of the treatments available today alter the underlying course of this terminal disease.

Specific challenges facing diverse communities.
Given the disproportionate impact of Alzheimeräó»s on ethnic and minority populations, efforts must be implemented to eliminate disparities in these communities.Specific challenges facing those with younger-onset Alzheimeräó»s. Preconceived notions of Alzheimeräó»s and age can delay diagnosis, act as a barrier to participation in research or government programs and make it difficult to find long-term care appropriate for younger populations.

Unprepared caregivers.
Caregivers need critical support to provide in-home care but have trouble finding affordable services and education to care for a loved one, and to alleviate the emotional and physical burden of caregiving.

Ill-equipped communities.
Many places are unprepared to address the individualized needs of people living with Alzheimeräó»s, especially those in rural areas.

Mounting costs.
The costs to treat and care for Alzheimeräó»s can be tremendously high and unaffordable over time and even more difficult to bear when encountering barriers to qualifying for insurance or government support.