The poll I posted throughout January revealed that many caregivers don’t attend Alzheimer’s support groups.  In this particular poll, there wasn’t the capability to determine why the caregivers didn’t.  However, a small percentage did check the box that indicated there wasn’t a support group nearby.
An equal number of caregivers indicated in the poll that they had attended a support group.  Again, the capability wasn’t available for them to indicate whether they did this regularly or had only attended once.
You don’t have to attend a support or informational group.  Some caregivers find their support with family members and friends.  Also, sometimes you can’t attend …read more

I’ve posted a new poll on Alzheimer’s Notes to help me know how I might provide information to help my readers.  It’s also enjoyable getting to know my readers this way, as well as through the comments they leave.
Question: Have you attended an Alzheimer’s caregivers support group(s)?
Choices: Yes; No; There are none available in my area.
To find this poll, simply scroll down the right side of this page.

So many Alzheimer’s caregivers I speak with have a difficult time finding support or just someone to talk with.  Even though more people are becoming knowldegeable about Alzheimer’s, it’s hard to find encouragement with the day to day care from someone who’s “been there” or is going through it.
I realize how fortunate I was to have my neighbor.  She’d been overseeing the care of her great aunt with Alzheimer’s about the time I became involved in my mom’s care.  We’d chat frequently about what we were encountering, compare notes, laugh about various happenings, talk out the frustrations, and know we weren’t …read more

“I don’t have any time to myself,” many caregivers declare.  “I can’t find anyone to help or stay with Mother (or Father or spouse).” This also becomes a challenge during the holiday season when we’re trying to do extra.
I learned I had to find help to give myself relife and “recharge my batteries.”  My husband would stay with Mother while I did shopping and errands, but I couldn’t expect him to take over care for long periods.  Also, we wanted to do things together and had business obligations that took us outside the home.
My neighbor helped, one of the nurses …read more

Caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia can be very demanding and usually is something we’re not trained for.  Too many caregivers don’t give themselves a break and wear themselves out. 
As a caregiver, we need to learn to care for ourselves.
*Find time for yourself even if it’s just a walk around the neighborhood while hubby, a neighbor, sister, or children stay with Mom or Dad.  Perhaps it’s an afternoon with your quilting group or book discussion group.
*Find time for your family, exclusive of your parent. 
*Find daycare for your parent.  Inquire at the local hospital, nearby nursing …read more

When do you decide that someone with Alzheimer’s or other infirmity shouldn’t live alone?  Some don’t mind at all moving in with children or going to assisted living.  However, the majority of people, as they grow older and can’t do everything themselves, resist moving from their home and becoming dependent upon family members or others.
This isn’t an easy decision.  Most of the time there isn’t a convenient answer.  Families usually aren’t set up to care for someone in their home.  Perhaps both work outside the home.  There may be children to consider.  And the increasingly dependent person wants to remain in …read more

Barbara Halpern founded and moderates a caregiver group, where you can discuss with others in similiar situations the joys and challenges of caring for elderly family members.  Some members of the group are caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s; others have family member suffering from physical conditions.
Discussion groups like this can be very helpful when you have questions or need encouragement from others who are going through similar situations.  Sometimes we can find these groups nearby.  Other times the only place is via the Internet.
Barbara’s caregiver group is located at http://groups.msn.com/CaringforElderlyFamilyMembers.

Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t strike only older people, it can affect those younger than 65 years of age, some even in their 30s.  More attention is being given to those with early- onset Alzheimer’s, which could be as many as half a million, according to a recent report by the Alzheimer’s Association. 
A reference in the Alzheimer’s Daily News (http://alznews.org ), linking to an article in the Bradenton Hearld (www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/15107755.htm ), tells about a support group for early-onset victims in the Mid-West.  This group, Without Warning, was founded by Dr. David Bennett, who is the medical director of the Chicago Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center. 
 

A support group, whether it’s a friend or several people, aids you in coping as a caregiver.  I didn’t know about support groups when my mom first showed symptoms of Alzheimer’s and I also became responsible for my aunt afflicted with the same disease.  However, I was fortunate to have my neighbor to share with.
Support groups often are conducted by:
*Local hospitals
*Nursing homes
*Home health organizations
*Senior centers
*Local businesses, sometimes in conjunction with the hospital
*Local or state branch of the Alzheimer’s Association
Check to see what is available in your community.  You also can enter “Alzheimer’s” or “Alzheimer’s support groups” in search engines and …read more