Another solution provided by Alzheimer’s Association is Caregiver Center, which offers suggestions and online training resources to help family members learn how to become a caregiver for Alzheimer’s step by step, how to handle stress, and how to start making legal and financial plans. Caregivers are a group of people providing physical and emotional support to those who are unable to take care of themselves. They are in charge of the personal care, daily activities, the safety as well as emotional supports of patients. Thus, people with Alzheimer’s need care and support from caregivers. Langman (2016) found that currently there are more than 15 million caregivers for Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and this number is increasing rapidly considering
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Langman (2016) provided several widely-used, reliable assessment tools, including The Caregiver Assessment Grid, The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), The Pearlin Caregivers’ Stress Scales, The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and The Caregiver Burden Scale (p. 44-45). But this is the very first step because although scales can assess caregivers’ mental health condition, they cannot provide any specific suggestions. Thus, the next step for caregivers is to find effective interventions to assist them to cope with stress and burden. Langman (2016) analyzed a large amount of research designed to test the effectiveness of interventions for reducing depression and burden of caregivers. Then she drew a conclusion that support groups, behavior management, antidepressants, day programs, encouraging self-care all reduce stress (p. 45-47). This illustrates the wellbeing of caregivers can be improved by receiving proper interventions based on their personal conditions. Moreover, in order to reduce caregiver’s financial pressure, currently the HHS's Administration on Aging offers $11 million to support Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers (Baker, 2011, p. 210). Through effective interventions and funding programs, caregivers can improve their physical and mental health, which in turn increases their loved ones’ quality of
Langman (2016) provided several widely-used, reliable assessment tools, including The Caregiver Assessment Grid, The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), The Pearlin Caregivers’ Stress Scales, The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and The Caregiver Burden Scale (p. 44-45). But this is the very first step because although scales can assess caregivers’ mental health condition, they cannot provide any specific suggestions. Thus, the next step for caregivers is to find effective interventions to assist them to cope with stress and burden. Langman (2016) analyzed a large amount of research designed to test the effectiveness of interventions for reducing depression and burden of caregivers. Then she drew a conclusion that support groups, behavior management, antidepressants, day programs, encouraging self-care all reduce stress (p. 45-47). This illustrates the wellbeing of caregivers can be improved by receiving proper interventions based on their personal conditions. Moreover, in order to reduce caregiver’s financial pressure, currently the HHS's Administration on Aging offers $11 million to support Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers (Baker, 2011, p. 210). Through effective interventions and funding programs, caregivers can improve their physical and mental health, which in turn increases their loved ones’ quality of