People don’t like to talk about the mental decline of the elderly because it reminds them that such issues could affect them in the future. While Alzheimer’s is the major scare, common dementia is more likely to impact older relatives. Taking care of someone with dementia is a challenging prospect. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources to provide dementia caregiver support. We understand, it’s not easy. But you want to be there to take care of your elderly and ailing family members. Dementia caregiver support is very underrated and unknown, but it can be an infinitely useful resource.
Dementia Caregiver Support
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
AARP is considered one of the go-to’s for dementia and related mental decline. They’re a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting the elderly physically and mentally. So it’s not a surprise that AARP is well situated to provide such support.
The Alzheimer’s Association
Since Alzheimer’s tends to require even more specialized care, dedicated resources for caregiving are pretty standard. The Alzheimer’s Association is an excellent example. They provide information for patients, families, and caregivers for Alzheimer’s and dementia. This organization is a good resource for dementia caregiver support. Alzheimers is difficult to understand and deal with – so you need all the resources you can get to better understand it yourself. The more you understand it, the easier it is to deal with it.
Additional Information Sources: Other organizations that deal with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia include Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, Lewy Body Dementia Association, and Dementia Society of America.
Helpful Apps
While resources to find diagnoses, caregivers, and medical support are great, caregivers and their families need more. For example, apps like Angel Sense can track wandering adults who have walked away without anyone noticing. Such apps and tools are invaluable to ensuring the safety of those in mental decline. Elder Care Locator can help by relying on local community resources and technology in the case of a wayward person with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Don’t overlook just how helpful modern technology can be for you!
Financial Help for Elder Caretakers
While apps are beneficial, medical care and support get expensive fast, and dementia caregiver support isn’t often covered. Benefit CheckUp helps people find financial support locally and on the state and federal levels. In addition, sites like Community Resource Finder are great for finding community support, which can go a long way when it comes to coming to terms with a declining family member, as well as caregiver support.
Dementia Caregiver Support
Make sure to look directly into local support opportunities as well. Making connections with others in the same situation can be very helpful. It’s good to build a network of understanding people that can share their experiences and maybe even help out in a pinch. You may be surprised to find a number of great resources in and around your community, and don’t be afraid to utilize those! Make sure you look
The work may be difficult and taxing, but it is also gratifying. The desire to help those with declining mental health is an essential aspect of healthcare and family life. It may not be a subject people like to talk about, but it is a discussion that needs to be had. The more we talk about it, the more we all become aware of the resources that are available. Take a moment, today, and share something to your social group about a website, an app, or a service that you think was particularly helpful.
Dr Liz Geriatrics
Are you looking for help or dementia caregiver support? Dr Liz Geriatrics is an organization dedicated to supplying information and support to those caring for the aging. Check out our wide range of telehealth and video options. For more information, contact us at 650-357-8834 x1 – we are here to help.
Elizabeth (Dr Liz) has over twenty years of experience in providing medical care to the elders. She is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care Medicine. Dr Landsverk founded ElderConsult Geriatric Medicine, a house calls practice, to address the challenging medical and behavioral issues often facing older patients and their families.