| Effects on the Caregiver |
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| Written by Administrator |
| Monday, 11 May 2009 21:30 |
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These statistics were taken from the "2009 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures" report, provided by the Alzheimer's Association. Some of the facts and numbers are astonishing. Emotional Well-Being • More than 40 percent of family and other unpaid caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias rate the emotional stress of caregiving as high or very high. • About one-third of family caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias have symptoms of depression. • One study of family care provided for people with dementia in the year before the person’s death found that half the caregivers spent at least 46 hours a week assisting the person; 59 percent felt that they were “on duty” 24 hours a day; and many felt that caregiving in this end-of-life period was extremely stressful. The stress of caregiving was so great that 72 percent of the family caregivers said they experienced relief when the person died. • Caregiver stress, especially stress related to their loved one’s behavioral symptoms, is associated with nursing home placement. One study found, however, that family caregiver stress was just as high after the person was placed in a nursing home as before placement. Employment • One study of family and other unpaid caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias found that 57 percent were employed full time or part time. Of those who were employed, Caregiving 2009 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures two-thirds said they had to go in late, leave early or take time off because of caregiving; 18 percent had to take a leave of absence; 13 percent had reduced their hours; and 8 percent had turned down promotions. Eight percent of caregivers in the study had to quit work entirely because of caregiving. • Another study of family and other unpaid caregivers of more than 2,000 older people found that caregivers of people who had Alzheimer’s or other dementia without behavioral symptoms were 31 percent more likely than caregivers of other older people to have reduced their hours or quit work. Caregivers of people who had Alzheimer’s or other dementia with behavioral symptoms were 68 percent more likely than caregivers of other older people to have reduced their hours or quit work. Income and Financial Stability • One study found that 49 percent of family and other unpaid caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias (not including spouse caregivers) had caregiving-related out-of-pocket expenditures that averaged $219 a month. • Another study of family caregivers of people aged 50 and older, including people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, found that long-distance caregivers had higher caregiving-related out-of-pocket expenditures than other caregivers |
| Last Updated on Tuesday, 12 May 2009 01:16 |