FOR CARE PARTNERS

Addressing care partners’ needs together with the active management of Alzheimer’s disease can improve the quality of life of those affected from the disease.1

A diagnosis of early stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD) does not just affect those with the disease; it affects everyone who loves and cares for them.

In Alzheimer’s disease, care partners including family members and friends play an important role in overall care. Care partners tend to provide more extensive assistance as the disease progresses. In this new and unfamiliar role, care partners may feel unsure of where to find useful information and may be anxious about what to expect moving forward.3,5 It is important to keep in mind that care partners who take better care of themselves are more likely to provide better care for their loved ones.1,2

Early-stage caregiving

In the early-stage of AD, most people function independently and the role of care partners is to provide support and companionship, and help plan for the future.2,3

Providing support in everyday tasks can help the person with AD develop new coping strategies that will help maximize his or her independence. This early stage of AD may allow time to obtain necessary legal, financial, medical, and social service information before cognitive impairment starts to interfere with decision-making capabilities.2,3

Being a care partner for someone you love is a rewarding but emotionally charged experience.This section highlights potential areas you may find relevant to help you cope better and longer.1-3

Discuss future plans and make decisions together

  • You are not alone: reach out to family members, friends and consider connecting with your local Alzheimer’s Association.2,3
  • Identify areas the person with AD might need help with to remain engaged in daily activities.2,3
  • A physician can help you to keep the focus on manageable issues.1-3

Psychological factor: it is very important to take care of yourself while caring for another person

  • Stay involved in anything which is interesting and keep-up your social activities.2,3
  • Consider iSupport, a self-help tool for caregivers of people living with dementia.
  • iSupport is a free World Health Organization (WHO)-developed knowledge and skills training program to improve quality of life for caregivers. It provides, for example, training on how to relax if you do not have much time or energy, learning how to think differently to change unhelpful thoughts into helpful ones and how to deal with being a carer.4

Physical tiredness: Naturally, caring for another person is physically demanding.

  • Maintain optimal health, including diet, sleep and exercise.2,3
  • Ensure to take care of your own health as well.2,3

Ways to stay socially connected

  • Consider consulting your employer's HR department or employee assistance program about reducing working hours and other available employee benefits.2,3
  • Asking for financial advice early might be quite valuable over time.2,3

Legal aspects

  • Executing legal documents for persons with MCI or early AD should be relatively straightforward, as their mental competence should not be called into question.2,3
  • Legal experts are available to assist with the preparation of the appropriate legal documents, including durable power of attorney, health care representatives, wills and trusts.2,3

Many countries offer several resources that can be very helpful. Please contact your local Alzheimer’s Association for information on medical, social and supportive care that is available in your area and could benefit the person you care for as well as yourself.6

 WHAT'S NEXT 

Connecting with the Community

Sharing your experiences and receiving advice from your support network can encourage you to best address your needs.

 

References

1. Grossberg GT, Christensen DD, Griffith PA, Kerwin DR, Hunt G, Hall EJ. The art of sharing the diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease with patients and caregivers: recommendations of an expert consensus panel. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2010;12(1).

2. Austrom MG, Lu Y. Long term caregiving: helping families of persons with mild cognitive impairment cope. Curr Alzheimer Res. 2009 Aug;6(4):392-8.

3. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland. I am a carer / family member, alzheimer.ie/living-with-dementia/i-am-a-carer-family-member. Accessed January, 2022.

4. World Health Organization: iSupport for Dementia. Training and support manual for carers of people with dementia, https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/324794/9789241515863-eng.pdf?ua=1. Accessed January, 2022.

5. Alzheimer's Association. Now is the Best Time to Talk about Alzheimer's Together, https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-and-dementia/timetotalk. Accessed January, 2022.

6. Alzheimer Europe. Members, www.alzheimer-europe.org/about-us/who-we-are/members. Accessed January 2022.