Reach Out for Help withDementia Caregiving

Dementia is a set of illnesses that diminish mental skills, often leading to the impairment of one’s memory and/or reasoning. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, is experienced by about one out of every 10 people 65 years old and older. Other widespread forms of dementia are vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia (LBD).While all of us will suffer from declining brain function as we age, those with dementia are affected more severely. They are often unable to perform everyday tasks, communicate clearly, recognize familiar faces around them or make decisions. Those who care for them need to be prepared for possible changes in the patient’s coordination and personality as well.According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2024 report, family/other caregivers gave approximately 18.4 billion hours of unpaid assistance in 2023, with 70% of those helpers finding care coordination stressful. Individuals taking care of a loved one with dementia need help with the emotional challenges of the work as well as with finances, time management and health care system complexities. Dementia patients and caregivers should not hesitate to contact the Alzheimer’s Association’s free, confidential helpline (800-272-3900) for advice or to reach out to support groups through their website.A particularly critical...