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The Effects of Dementia on Caregivers and Families

In 2017, the Alzheimer’s Association completed an extensive survey on the effects of Alzheimer’s on the family caregiver. The study confirmed what many of us who provide family care might have guessed, which is that the effects of dementia on caregivers aren’t just physical. Caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s impacts nearly all areas of life, from our time spent with friends to the family finances. 

The good news, though, is that while their ongoing research of Alzheimer’s disease shows that these effects are more prevalent than ever, there’s plenty of support available. This means that we can take steps to minimize their impact, both in protecting our own health and ensuring the safest possible environment for our loved one. 

How Does Living With Dementia Affect Daily Life? 

Caring for a loved one with progressive memory loss can impact normal life in a variety of challenging ways. As well as managing the disease and its symptoms, you may also need to take on their housekeeping tasks or assist with personal care routines. As a result, caregivers report a greater number of physical and emotional health problems and worse overall wellness compared with non-caregivers. Family caregiver stress is also significantly higher in dementia caregivers than in other types of caregiving. Because of the time commitment required, one of the common effects of dementia on caregivers is that they also tend to sacrifice their own leisure pursuits and hobbies, such as spending time with friends, exercise or other self-care routines. If that sounds familiar, hiring a professional caregiver could be a way to free up some time and allow you to take regular breaks. 

Effects of Dementia on Family Finances 

The Alzheimer’s Association Research Report indicates that people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s or dementia survive an average of four to 10 years after diagnosis, with some living as long as 20 years. Families typically step in to provide care, especially early in the diagnosis. This can have an immediate impact on finances, as many family caregivers will have to reduce or even quit their employment to make time for their new responsibilities. In many cases, the family member also pays for any out-of-pocket expenses associated with dementia care, which often means cutting back on their own spending. 

Personality Changes Can Take an Emotional Toll 

Personality changes in a loved one with dementia are often the most difficult part of the disease for family caregivers to manage. Sometimes a person affected by dementia may become aggressive because they don’t know how else to express themselves. Others may experience anxiety, agitation, irritability or even paranoia. Confusion also appears when trying to complete the daily tasks most of us take for granted. Witnessing these changes in a loved one can be very distressing for a caregiver, although following these dementia caregiver tips can help. 

FirstLight Cares for Patients and Their Families 

If you’re a family caregiver for someone living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, it’s likely that you handle this care on your own. While it is a rewarding and fulfilling task, it can quickly take a toll on your health, finances and emotional wellbeing. It can also be difficult to spot these symptoms in ourselves, so it’s worth finding a support network or trying this caregiver burnout quiz to see if you’ve been taking on too much yourself. 

Meanwhile, if you could use some help with the day-to-day tasks of caring for your loved one, consider hiring an in-home caregiver from FirstLight. We care for patients as well as their families, minimizing the effects of dementia on caregivers and ensuring peace of mind for everyone involved. For your personalized family care plan, contact the team FirstLight Home Care today. 

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