Dementia Caregivers Make Sacrifices

A recent study from the National Alliance For Caregiving gave some shocking statistics on the burdens of caregiving, including caregiving to those who have dementia.

Some of the highlights of the study include these sobering facts about caregiving:

• 35.4 hours per week was the average time spent caring for loved ones
• 32% had been doing this caregiving for more than 5 years
• 34% were using their savings and 38% were not saving for their own future or their children's
• 23% were cutting back on their own medical or dental care
• 65% had increased stress or anxiety
• 49% had difficulty sleeping
• 37% felt depressed or experienced hopeless

How do these statistics fit in with your own experience?  Does it seem on target or off by a lot?  Please share your thoughts with us.

Comments

[Bill]

I took an early retirement to keep my mom from going into a nursing home four years ago. She has now been diagnosed with moderate to severe dementia and poor planning on my part means that her life's savings and maybe some of my retirement will have to be used for more outside care and maybe a nursing home. This is very frustrating and has left me on a lonely crusade.

[Sue]

Bill: So sorry to hear of your situation although it is not surprising. So many caregivers get hit with not only the physical demands of caregiving but also the financial crunch.

With dementia, there often comes a point where home care becomes impossible and either a nursing home or other setting must be sought. If money has been spent or sacrificed (like in your case) before this point, the costs are astronomical.

You were selfless in your desire to keep your mother from entering a nursing home because care at home is almost always preferable. At this point, I would recommend that you get involved with a financial planner if you haven't already. You need to separate and protect your assets from your mom's. Also, I know it is hard but if you find a support group for dementia caregivers, you might find some emotional support from others going through the same thing. A great starting place for finding support groups is: www.alz.org and click on support groups and you can find one in your state.

Bill, good luck and thanks for writing.

Sue