Alzheimer's is a disease that, beyond the person affected, overwhelms the life of an entire family. It has a very long progression, estimated between 8 and 20 years, and throughout this time the person affected gradually needs more and more to be followed by someone who can take care of them, a family member, a friend, or a specialized person.
LOVE, STRENGTH AND SACRIFICE
Often the role of caregivers is underestimated and their needs or due assistance are not taken into consideration. Anyone who takes care of a patient with a degenerative disease finds their life more or less disrupted from various points of view.
1. Emotional Involvement
Following an Alzheimer's diagnosis for a loved one, many feelings come into play. The first impact is certainly traumatic: knowing what the loved one will have to face, with a fate unfortunately sealed, is a difficult event to cope with.
This is immediately followed by fear for what will happen to oneself, for the deprivations of time and energy sacrificed to family, one's own interests, social life, and work.
As the disease progresses, care then becomes demanding not only physically, but also emotionally, unfortunately having to witness the loss of lucidity and memories of the person you love, until you're not even recognized anymore.
2. Economic Impact
The caregiver must gradually dedicate more and more time to the Alzheimer's patient. This unfortunately involves often having to give up one's working life in order to guarantee the necessary care and attention.
3. Family and Social Life
Sometimes it seems really difficult to find time to dedicate to other people, besides the patient. To family, friends, and even oneself. Often the caregiver finds themselves feeling unjustly guilty, for not dedicating enough attention to other people, or for having to take time away from the patient.
ADVICE
For all these reasons, which involve physical resources, feelings, personal relationships, and economic implications, good organization and clarity are necessary, but above all the ability to ask for and receive help when needed. Here are some useful tips to be able to offer the best care while, at the same time, not being overwhelmed by the situation.
The caregiver should never be the sole caregiver
Those who primarily care for the sick person must be able to find time for themselves, to relax and "disconnect", think about other things and dedicate themselves to family and friends. Sadness, isolation, apathy, and frustration would, in fact, have a negative impact on the patient as well, who could not receive care and attention adequately. In assisting Alzheimer's patients, empathy, patience, and listening are indeed necessary, to also try to isolate any problematic behaviors and maintain a situation that is as calm and serene as possible. It therefore becomes essential to involve the entire family in caring for the patient and turn to specialized day centers to receive help in caring for your loved one.
Relying on a Psychologist
Helping others doesn't mean not needing help yourself. As we have seen, the caregiver must not lose themselves. In the time carved out for themselves, consultation with a psychologist is also very useful, in order to undertake a journey beneficial to one's mental well-being. Let's never underestimate the stress and emotional weight that a caregiver finds themselves supporting daily.
Information and Support Are Essential to Provide Adequate Care
Knowing the disease, its implications and progression, certainly helps to prepare and better manage the situation. It is also very important to always be able to count on your doctor and on specialized facilities for advice and professional support in managing daily life or particular situations, as well as for simple but indispensable comfort.
Tax and Economic Benefits
In Italy, various benefits are provided for caregivers, such as tax deductions, tax assistance, and attendance allowances. It is advisable to verify with a professional the possibility of also requesting financial support.
We cannot forget about Alzheimer's, nor about those who lovingly offer support and assistance to sick people. No one should be left alone: this is the meaning of World Alzheimer's Day. Awareness, knowledge, and closeness are the best allies against indifference.
