Two Primary Needs of Caregivers

1. Information
   
   1. Alzheimer's Disease (AD) Process
      1. Symptoms, behaviors, stages, etc.
      2. Why AD (Alzheimer's disease) patients behave as they do. Why they wander, hide possessions, etc.
      3. Respite care. What is it? Why caregiver needs it. Adult daycare centers.
         
   2. Legal
      1. Durable Power-of-Attorney for financial and medical.
      2. See elder law attorney for legal advice.
         
   3. Financial
      1. Spousal Impoverishment Act of 1989. (Call local Area Agency on Aging office.)
      2. Waivers of income for help with aged in the home. (Call local Area Agency on Aging office.)
         
   4. Technical
      1. Techniques for successful home management of AD (Alzheimer's disease) patient.
      2. Triggering, cueing, distractions, etc.
      3. Brochures on problem solving and creativity.
      4. Dealing with incontinence.
      5. Dealing with hostility and aggressiveness.
         
   5. Home modifications
      1. How to use gates, locks, alarms, water shut-off valves, barriers, etc.
         
   6. Clothing modifications
      1. Use of Velcro® in clothing, etc.
         
   7. Assistive technology
      1. Availability of wheelchairs, hospital beds, patient lifts, etc. (Call State Vocational Rehabilitation for catalog showing items.)
         
   8. Nursing Home
      1. Contact State Department on Aging for check lists, evaluations and ombudsman
         
2. Counseling
   Personal counseling with mental health professional for:

1. Developing caregiver's plan for survival.
2. Management of anger and other negative emotions, (such as fear, self-pity, guilt, blame, shame, grief, etc.)
3. Refocusing and reconstructing caregiver's life for greater self-fulfillment.
4. Learning how to find the humor, joy, and love in the AD (Alzheimer's Disease) journey.
   

Compiled by the Lincoln/Greater Nebraska Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, 1999.