There are over four million people in America who have a dementing illness. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, that number is expected increase to fourteen million within the next fifty years unless a cure or prevention is found. If only five family members are affected for each Alzheimer member, then as many as twenty million Americans may now be facing problems of coping with one of these dreadful diseases. If the physicians, nurses, psychologists, and other professionals who provide care to this special population are added, then the magnitude of the problem and the cost to our society becomes readily apparent.

More than 70 percent of people with Alzheimer’s disease live at home. Research suggests that over 75 percent of the home care is provided by family and friends. The additional care necessary generally costs family members $6,000 to $12,000 a year, just to care for the patient at home .Most family members with Alzheimer’s disease remain at home until the last and most severe stages of the disease. Nursing home care is very expensive, ranging from $40,000 to $70,000 a year. Neither Medicare not private health insurance covers the long-term care most patients need. it has been estimated that the average lifetime cost per patient is $174,000. The financial costs of Alzheimer’s disease are enormous, but the emotional and physical costs of the disease for the caregiver are of even greater magnitude and are impossible to measure.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disease. which means that with each day that passes the inflicted person becomes more impaired. This degenerative process will eventually result in death, but usually not until the individual has lost his memory, his use of language, his ability to dress or feed himself, and his personality. From the time of diagnosis, the lifespan may range anywhere from three to twenty years. The average is eight years. Men and women are equally affected. Most people affected with Alzheimer’s disease are older than age sixty­five. Thus the spouse, who is most frequently the primary caregiver, is often of an age that his or her own health and physical strength may be waning. The caregivers of Alzheimer patients will have ever-increasing demands on their time and their emotional strength. Eventually, individuals with Alzheimer’s disease will need twenty-four-hour care. They will need to be dressed, fed, and assisted with toileting. The patient will not recognize his caregiver and may not be able to communicate at even the most basic levels. The patient may wander and get lost. Night and day frequently become confused, with the patient wandering around the house throughout the night, significantly interfering with the sleep of the care giver. Disturbances in behavior and mood are certain to occur. The Alzheimer patient may become paranoid and aggressive, exploding in angry outbursts, perhaps accusing the caregiver of stealing his shoes or other items that he can no longer find. Clearly things will be much different in this new type of family.

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