Advice and Recommendations for Caregivers

How to Prepare?

• Providing Care: A Team Effort

A caregiver is an integral part of a team, whether it be family, a group of friends or volunteers, or the healthcare team. Therefore, they must offer different skills and strengths to provide effective care.

If you are the primary person responsible for this team, make sure to help each member express their concerns, opinions, and emotions. Also, ensure that the person with Alzheimer’s’s plays a central role in all discussions and decisions.

• Creating a Task List: Better Organization

As a caregiver, you need to be well organized. So, start by making a list of all your caregiving tasks. Try to tackle them by priority. Then use this list to decide how to distribute tasks among friends, family, professionals, and other caregivers.

• Mastering Appropriate Physical Care

Some patients may need you to provide physical care such as bathing, dressing, feeding, using the toilet, and grooming. To master these care tasks, ask for help, talk to a healthcare team, watch videos on the different procedures to undertake, or read manuals or books explaining how to perform these tasks. You can also call on professional help if needed.

• Making Your Home Functionally Accessible

Understanding the changes and disabilities related to aging is an important step in creating living spaces that address the issues faced by elderly people. This reflection will allow for creating arrangements to protect them from dangers such as falls. A well-designed and adapted space will promote the well-being of elderly people. These arrangements concern all rooms in the house.

Learn more about making a home suitable for elderly people.

What Attitudes to Have?

• Be Proactive

Take charge and plan as much as possible to avoid and anticipate last-minute emergencies. Being proactive also allows you to manage everything and keep things under control. Create schedules that indicate which family member, friend, or other caregiver is available when and for which tasks. Ensure that all caregivers are involved.

• Enjoy Problem-Solving

A caregiver must easily identify problems, determine solutions to resolve them, and follow through. Do not hesitate to seek advice and ask for help. Look for creative solutions that work for you, but also for the person with Alzheimer’s’s.

• Stay Positive

Having a positive attitude can help manage every situation more easily. You may not have control over what happens to you, but you can change how you react and act.

• Know Yourself

Recognize your strengths and weaknesses as a caregiver. This allows you to set boundaries and know when to ask for help. Setting boundaries can help both you and the person you are caring for. The person you are looking after may have some independence while you take a break. It is important to know when you need a break to avoid feeling exhausted.

How to Properly Care for a Person with Alzheimer’s’s Disease?

• Taking Care of the Emotional Well-Being of the Person with Alzheimer’s’s

It is important to help the person you are caring for maintain a sense of control. A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s’s can make them feel little control over their life. Start by asking if you can help with a specific task or decision instead of doing it yourself.

• Communicate

One of the most important tasks of a caregiver is to speak openly with the person with Alzheimer’s’s. Choose a time that works for you to talk. Ensure that he or she will be at the center of discussions and decisions. Be open to the feelings and opinions of the person.

E-Memories

E-Memories is an application that can help you communicate through photos, nostalgic memories, and open-ended questions.

• Opt for Meaningful or Enjoyable Activities

A person with Alzheimer’s’s may no longer be able to actively participate in activities they love. So, look for other ways to encourage participation. Help the person stay connected to the world beyond Alzheimer’s’s and maintain a sense of normalcy.

SCARLETT, Your Memory Coach

SCARLETT is a memory game program designed for people suffering from cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer’s’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative diseases. SCARLETT is also used by autistic adults.

• Participate in Medical and Physical Care

As a caregiver, you may find that your responsibilities go beyond your expectations. These responsibilities may include providing medical and physical care as well as addressing certain financial issues.

• Gather Details on the Patient’s Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis

Start by learning more about Alzheimer’s’s. Many patient advocacy groups, such as France Alzheimer’s, the Defeat Alzheimer’s Foundation, or the Médéric Alzheimer’s Foundation, can also provide information related to this disease. Note medical appointments, test results, medications and dosages, symptoms and side effects, questions, and emergency numbers if needed.

• Inquire About Mutual Insurance Offers

As a caregiver, it is important to be informed about all the aids and offers that exist, as it is true that medical appointments can sometimes be costly. Knowing about mutual insurance offers ensures that you can follow up on care as smoothly as possible.

A mutual insurance, or complementary health insurance, supplements basic guarantees. It partially or fully covers services not reimbursed by health insurance and those that are reimbursed very little, to ensure more optimal coverage.

• Handle Legal Documents

If the person you are caring for cannot speak for themselves, certain legal documents can allow a designated person to communicate their treatment decisions and wishes. Learn more about how to help your loved one plan their healthcare in advance. Discover how to assist them and how to participate in their care legally.

A PROGRAM FOR SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH ALZHEIMER’S

SCARLETT

Resources for Caregivers

Being a caregiver can be a demanding role, but there are many resources to help you in this task. Here are some options to explore:

• Support Groups: Joining a local or online support group can provide a space to share experiences and advice.
• Training: Many organizations offer training for caregivers, allowing you to acquire specific skills.
• Respite Services: Respite services can offer you a break by taking care of the person you are looking after for a few hours or days.
• Online Resources: Websites and forums dedicated to caregivers can provide valuable information and practical advice.

Signs of Caregiver Burnout

Caregiver burnout is a reality that should not be overlooked. Here are some signs that may indicate you need to take time for yourself:

• Persistent fatigue, both physical and emotional.
• Frequent feelings of frustration or irritability.
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
• Changes in appetite or sleep.
• Social isolation or withdrawal from activities you previously enjoyed.

Managing Finances as a Caregiver

Caring for a loved one can have financial implications. Here are some tips for managing these aspects:

• Establish a Budget: Create a budget to track expenses related to care and health.
• Explore Financial Aids: Inquire about government aids available for caregivers and people with Alzheimer’s’s.
• Consult a Financial Advisor: A professional can help you plan and manage finances effectively.
• Insurance: Check existing insurance policies to understand what is covered and what is not.

Adapted Leisure Activities

Encouraging leisure activities is essential for the well-being of people with Alzheimer’s’s. Here are some ideas for adapted activities:

• Art and Crafts: Creative activities like painting or collaging can stimulate memory and creativity.
• Music: Listening to music or singing can revive memories and provide comfort.
• Gardening: Working in the garden can be soothing and offer a connection to nature.
• Board Games: Choose simple games that promote interaction without being frustrating.