The Dementia Caregiver's Toolbox

Dementia Caregiver's Depression May Lead To Hospitalization

A new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine and partially supported by the  Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, has found that 24% of caregivers of those with Alzheimer's disease will either visit an emergency room or be admitted to a hospital related to depression.

Dementia Care Meets Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) - Part 3: Mind/Body Medicine

Using CAM or Complementary & Alternative Medicine in dementia care can broaden the range of tools we have at our disposal as caregivers to comfort, calm and allow the person with dementia more control over their situation.  Trying the techniques may also help us to raise their self-esteem in the process.  So far, we have defined CAM therapies and given reasons on why they may be a good match to use in persons with dementia.

Our purpose today is to talk about one of the 4 Domains of Knowledge within Complementary & Alternative Medicine:  the group of practices called "Mind/Body Medicine". 

Dementia Symptoms Helped By Bright Light

A team of Dutch scientists have found that exposing dementia patients to nine hours of bright light each day can significantly slow the progression of dementia.

Dementia and Hypnosis?

A team of British researchers have studied the effects of hypnosis on persons living with dementia and found some interesting results.

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.

Dementia Behaviors May Be Helped By Acupressure

A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing in the UK says that using a technique called acupressure can significantly reduce agitated behavior in persons with dementia.

Dementia Survival Rate Study Surprises

Many people were startled this week to hear the news from the British Medical Journal that the average time from a dementia diagnosis until death was a little over 4 years!

Caregiver O'Connor Accepts Dementia Reality With Validation

The dementia community has found a new person who is shining the light on some of the challenges of caregiving.  Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is using validation to deal with her husband's relationship with another resident at his assisted living facility in Phoenix.

Dementia Caregivers Are Hidden Patients

The Fredericksburg News recently wrote an article about a guide for caregivers called, "Practical Guide To Caring For Caregivers". The topic is not so unusual but it is important to note that the original article was published in American Family Physician in 2000 by Susan Mockus Parks, M.D. and Karen D. Novielli, M.D. Sadly, nothing much has changed since the authors first noted this issue six years ago. The article was referenced by Karl Karch of Home Instead Senor Care as he spoke at a meeting of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce. In fact the needs of the dementia caregiver may be as great or greater than the actual person with dementia. As physicians themselves and part of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Parks and Novielli coined the term "hidden patients" to describe the caregivers who accompany the person with dementia, yet have great burdens to deal with along with depression and anxiety. The authors suggest that family physicians have a responsiblity to recognize significant caregiver burden and offer the dementia caregiver appropriate interventions or coping skills. This should make sense to physicians when you consider that these stressors increase the risk of the person with dementia needed advanced services such as long term care placement or home health care. The article offers the Zarit Burden Interview (22 questions) or the much simplier set of eight questions that a physician can use with the caregiver to quickly determine what services the caregiver may require. A sample question is "Have you been feeling more anxious and irritable lately?". The Practical Guide To Caring For Caregivers also includes a table with significant resources, from the Alzheimer's Association to the Well Spouse Foundation. This article is more important than ever as the numbers of dementia caregivers and dementia patients keeps escalating. Make sure your physician is informed. Go to www.aafp.org and type in "Practical Guide to Caring for Cargivers". Print out the article and bring it along to your next visit.