Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's Disease or a Related Disorder

The Alzheimer's Association and Hospice Buffalo Can Offer You:

• 24 hour, 7 day a week access to a Hospice RN
• Pain and Symptom Management
• Home visits by a Nurse Practitioner
• Consultation between a Hospice physician and your loved one's primary care physician
• Home Health Aide Services: light housekeeping, assistance bathing, dressing and eating
• Respite Care - caregiver breaks
• Emotional support and counseling
• Support groups
• Education related to:
   Monitoring Pain and other symptoms
   Communication
   Nutrition and swallowing
   Mobility
   Skin care and personal hygiene
   Behavior management
• Assistance with Advance Care Planning
• Information about Community Resources

Warning Signs of Caregiver Stress

Denial about the disease and its effect on your loved one.

Anger at the person with Alzheimer's; anger that no cure exists; anger with the situation.

Social withdrawal from friends and activities that once brought pleasure.

Additional signs:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Exhaustion
• Change in sleep patterns
• Irritability
• Problems Concentrating
• Changes in eating habits
• Health problem

Ways to Reduce Caregiver Stress

• Be prepared for the changes you will see as the disease progresses
• Recognize and accept your limitations
• Ask for the support of your friends and family
• Get enough sleep; eat healthy food; try to exercise when/if possible
• Make legal and financial decisions as soon as possible
• Join a support group
• Forgive yourself for not always being patient, for not always being perfect

Contact your social worker or the Alzheimer's Association to learn more at (716) 626-0600.

www.alz.org/wny