Squamish residents taking care of family members with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia are experiencing severe stress, new studies reveal.
They are among the more than two million informal caregivers across Canada, a new national survey shows, who are struggling to cope with the impacts of caregiver stress, including depression.
According to reports released by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), difficulty with memory, understanding and decision-making cause the most severe hardships.
Caregivers were three times more frustrated when the senior needing care had Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia.
The findings come from CIHI research with more than 130,000 seniors. And they're no surprise, says Kerri Sutherland, the Squamish support and education co-ordinator for the non-profit Alzheimer Society of B.C.
"Supporting a person with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia is a challenging responsibility that can feel overwhelming throughout the different stages of the disease," she said.
People who care for someone with dementia often talk about feeling guilty, even when others reassure them that they are doing the best they can.
"They believe that it is their responsibility to provide all the care, all the time."
To further help Squamish families coping with the impact of Alzheimer's disease or related dementia, the society runs support and information groups locally, one for family caregivers and the other for persons in the early stages of the disease.
For information, contact Sutherland at 604-984-8348 or ksutherland@alzheimerbc.org.
CIHI research shows that spouses were twice as likely to feel stress compared to other family members providing care.
Compounding the problem is the social isolation often felt by caregivers, due to the time they spend helping their loved ones at the expense of maintaining friendships.
"An area of caregiving that is frequently overlooked is self-care for caregivers themselves," Sutherland says. "Although it may be difficult for a caregiver to prioritize his/her own needs, it is important to think about personal well-being too because it can positively impact the quality of life of both the caregiver and the person they are caring for."
Too much stress can leave family members unable to continue to provide care, which could lead to institutionalization - for the person with dementia and even for the caregiver.
For more resources on coping with caregiver stress, visit www.AlzheimerBC.org.
