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Those Who Give Care Also Require Care
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other irreversible dementia, impacts every aspect of daily life. Preparing and protecting yourself, learning to understand your loved one’s experience and accepting help from others can relieve stress, minimize hazards and enhance the joys of your caregiving experience.
It is common for caregivers to feel stress as well as anger, guilt, frustration, isolation, and unhappiness. However, even though it can be quite demanding, being a caregiver can also be rewarding. The key to being a successful caregiver is to reduce stress by accepting assistance, seeking support and taking good care of your-self. Taking time away from caregiving duties, even for a brief period, will benefit both you and the person you are caring for.
If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other irreversible dementia, there may be funds and support available to help you. The Alzheimer’s Family and Caregiver Support Program (AFCSP) is a state program created to make an array of community services available to families in hopes of enhancing lives and keeping people in their homes as long as possible.
Along with ongoing support, typical goods and services may include:
- Respite care or home care services (personal care assistance, meal prep, medication assistance and monitoring, homemaker services, yard work and snow removal, etc.)
- Emergency response systems
- Incontinence supplies
- Home safety modifications
- Home-delivered meals
- Specialized clothing
- Adaptive Equipment
- Legal expenses related to guardianship
- Counseling services
- Caregiver education classes
If you or someone you know could benefit from this program and live in Waushara County, contact Waushara County Aging and Disability Resource Center 1-877-883-5378 to find out more about the Alzheimer’s Family and Caregiver Support Program.
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