Today, the aging population has increased because people are now living longer. Population growth of the elderly people is a reason why aging is a problem. America is epidemic of Alzheimer’s and Americans regardless of age, fear Alzheimer’s. Today in the U.S., more than 5.1 million people has Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, 1 in 8 people over the age of 65 years old has Alzheimer’s and half of the people 85 years of age or older has Alzheimer’s. Thus, the greater risk is age. Alzheimer's disease is a “disease caused by deterioration of the brain cells, characterized by plagues and tangles. The disorder typically progresses through stages from mild memory loss, through significant cognitive impairment, to very serious confusion and the loss
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While aging, no one wants to be told that they have Alzheimer’s due to the difficulties and challenges that one must face. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s disease is not only common among the elderly, but it is also a “major problem, its prevalence among older people should not be exaggerated” (Moody and Sasser 2015, 143). That is, “Alzheimer’s disease is irreversible and generally foreseeable in its course” (Moody and Sasser 2015, 143). Taking care of an Alzheimer’s patient includes training, medical knowledge, and time. For this reason, “taking care of persons with the disease living in their own homes usually becomes impossible. The result is often placement in a skilled nursing home, sometimes lasting many years” (Moody and Sasser 2015, 143). Hence, the stress of caregiving can affect one’s health. As a caregiver of an Alzheimer’s patient, on has to be sure to take care of one’s self “by getting regular medical care for yourself. If you need to be hospitalized or need time off from your caregiving duties, emergency respite care can be arranged. A caregiver whose health is seriously affected may need to look at alternative options for a loved one, such as a residential facility” (National Center for Chronic Disease …show more content…
For instance, as a family caregiver one tries to focus “on the abilities and strengths that the people with dementia still have. They may find a higher purpose in life, feel a closer relationship to the person with dementia and be grateful for the time they can still be together” (Graneheim, Johansson and Lindgren 2013). Hence, family caregivers may be “motivated to provide care for several reasons: a sense of love or reciprocity, spiritual fulfillment, a sense of duty, guilt, social pressures, or in rare instances, greed” (Brodaty and Donkin 2009). Therefore, caregivers who are motivated “by a sense of duty, guilt, or social and cultural norms are more likely to resent their role and suffer greater psychological distress than caregivers with more positive motivations” (Brodaty and Donkin 2009). Speaking about this, “caregivers who identify more beneficial components of their role experience less burden, better health and relationships, and greater social support” (Brodaty and Donkin 2009). In addition, research study shows that “in 2007 approximately 10 million Americans were caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia. The largest proportion of those caregivers was spouses, followed by children and children in-law, mostly female” (Brodaty and Donkin 2009). Basically, the most popular characteristics of a family caregiver “is
While aging, no one wants to be told that they have Alzheimer’s due to the difficulties and challenges that one must face. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s disease is not only common among the elderly, but it is also a “major problem, its prevalence among older people should not be exaggerated” (Moody and Sasser 2015, 143). That is, “Alzheimer’s disease is irreversible and generally foreseeable in its course” (Moody and Sasser 2015, 143). Taking care of an Alzheimer’s patient includes training, medical knowledge, and time. For this reason, “taking care of persons with the disease living in their own homes usually becomes impossible. The result is often placement in a skilled nursing home, sometimes lasting many years” (Moody and Sasser 2015, 143). Hence, the stress of caregiving can affect one’s health. As a caregiver of an Alzheimer’s patient, on has to be sure to take care of one’s self “by getting regular medical care for yourself. If you need to be hospitalized or need time off from your caregiving duties, emergency respite care can be arranged. A caregiver whose health is seriously affected may need to look at alternative options for a loved one, such as a residential facility” (National Center for Chronic Disease …show more content…
For instance, as a family caregiver one tries to focus “on the abilities and strengths that the people with dementia still have. They may find a higher purpose in life, feel a closer relationship to the person with dementia and be grateful for the time they can still be together” (Graneheim, Johansson and Lindgren 2013). Hence, family caregivers may be “motivated to provide care for several reasons: a sense of love or reciprocity, spiritual fulfillment, a sense of duty, guilt, social pressures, or in rare instances, greed” (Brodaty and Donkin 2009). Therefore, caregivers who are motivated “by a sense of duty, guilt, or social and cultural norms are more likely to resent their role and suffer greater psychological distress than caregivers with more positive motivations” (Brodaty and Donkin 2009). Speaking about this, “caregivers who identify more beneficial components of their role experience less burden, better health and relationships, and greater social support” (Brodaty and Donkin 2009). In addition, research study shows that “in 2007 approximately 10 million Americans were caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia. The largest proportion of those caregivers was spouses, followed by children and children in-law, mostly female” (Brodaty and Donkin 2009). Basically, the most popular characteristics of a family caregiver “is