Nearly 10 million Americans currently provide unpaid care to someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. With the unrelenting mental strain that caring for someone with Alzheimer’s affords, it can be one of the most difficult care provisions.
“Caregiver burnout is common when caring for Alzheimer’s patients,” explains Saundra Scott-Adams, executive vice president of Visiting Nurses of Aroostook. “It is important to recognize the signs such as excessive stress and tension, debilitating depression, persistent anxiety, anger or guilt, decreased overall life satisfaction or relationship conflicts and social isolation.”
It is also important to take some preemptive steps to avoid burnout altogether. Many caregivers with loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia are unaware of the options available to them. There are many choices when it comes to Alzheimer’s care.
For more information, visit www.visitingnursesofaroostook.org and click on the How to care for loved ones and yourself banner on the home page.
The VNA is celebrating 40 years of service to Aroostook County neighbors and friends. Last year, VNA’s caring staff drove 714,089 miles to provide 37,178 visits to 1,264 patients and their families.
Although home-care and hospice services are paid for by public and private sources, or directly by patients and their families, tax-exempt donations from individuals, businesses and towns help cover the costs of care provided to the uninsured or underinsured.
A part of the eastern Maine HomeCare Family, and a member of EMHS, Visiting Nurses of Aroostook works to ensure the highest quality home care and hospice is available to all who need it in the nearly 80 towns they serve. For more information about its home care and hospice services, visit them at www.visitingnursesofaroostook.org or call 498-2578.
