CAREGIVING FOR SOMEONE WITH ALZ-D
CAREGIVING
At Fight2Remember, we know just how hard it is to be a caregiver to someone living with Alzheimer's-Dementia. Both of us as owners of this site are personally familiar with the role of: CAREGIVER. Patti has been a caregiver for her grandmother for over 10+ years. Lea is a part-time, Co-Caregiver to her aunt who was just diagnosed this year with Alzheimer's-Dementia.
The role of caregiver can be best described by: Bob DeMarco, "Alzheimer's caregivers ride the world's: biggest, fastest, scariest, emotional roller coaster every day!"
To care for another person who lives with ALZ-D can be extremely: difficult, scary, frustrating, funny, (at times) and most of all: REWARDING experience. Most caregivers never get: the help that they need, sleep, financial aid, assistance or respect for what they do. The biggest thing a caregiver may need is PATIENCE and UNDERSTANDING.
So here at Fight2Remember, trust us when we say, "WE GET IT & WE UNDERSTAND" and we KNOW what CAREGIVERS NEED. One of the main reasons that motivated us to make this site is because WE had a difficult & annoying time just trying to find resources for ourselves and our loved ones suffering from the disease. As a result of our frustrations, we decided to just make a site that has a ton of information related to ALZ-D all in one place! With that, we have a section just for caregivers and caregiving. The links below are even broken down for easier access and understanding.
OTHER THINGS THAT CAREGIVERS EXPERIENCE:
CAREGIVER BURNOUT SIGNS
When caregiver burnout reaches critical levels you may feel: depression, withdrawal, overwhelmed, negative thoughts or emotions, physical fatigue, sleep deprivation/sleep disorder, personal health problems, feelings of hopelessness, isolation, feeling helpless, lack on energy, tired often, worrying, frequent headaches, you may feel/become easily agitated, forgetful, gaining or losing weight, losing interests in things you used to enjoy, mental exhaustion & inability to cope. Overall: WORN-OUT!
RESPITE
If you are a caregiver of someone with ALZ-D then you NEED TO KNOW all about: RESPITE. Respite is used for when a caregiver needs a break so they can do the things that they need to do in order to then give care to others. Such things as: going to the grocery store, running errands, going to an appointment or perhaps the most important: recharging themselves and their energy!
FINANCIAL STRESS
Everyone worries about finances but, caregivers have an extra financial burden in life as a result of caring for the person with ALZ-D. Often times, caregivers go unpaid for their services and may have to pay for additional assistance, medical costs, equipment, personnel, etc.
CAREGIVER TOOLS & RESOURCES
RESPITE
If you're a caregiver who's in need of respite, try these links:
From ARCHRespite.org:
https://archrespite.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Federal-Funding_Summary_Table.pdf
From ARCHRespite.org:
https://archrespite.org/caregiver-resources/respitelocator/
From FamilyCaregiverAlliance.org:
https://www.caregiver.org/connecting-caregivers/services-by-state/
From nwd.acl.gov:
https://nwd.acl.gov/resources.html
FINANCIAL HELP
We know how hard it is to be a caregiver, paid or unpaid, so we have collected some information and links to help you gain access to financial help to ease the burden:
From DementiaCareCentral.com:
SELF-CARE
As a caregiver, the most important thing to remember is that YOU have to take care of YOU first before you can take care of others. Caregiving, inevitably will take a toll on you because it's such a difficult role. These sites will remind you to take the time to care for YOU!
From TheEveryGirl.com:
https://theeverygirl.com/free-self-care-practices/
21 FREE APPS for fun & self-care from: Goodgoodgood.co:
https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/self-care-apps
Remember, TREAT YO SELF!!!
COMMUNITY SUPPORT & SUPPORT GROUPS
As a caregiver, there are certain things that you will experience that other people that don't give care to others will/would not. It's important for caregivers to have a community where they feel: heard, understood and connected with others just like them! This is important because it provides companionship, (even if it's just online) and some sort of socialization to prevent loneliness and isolation.
From DementiaMentors.com:
https://www.dementiamentors.org/
From CaregiverAction.org:
https://www.caregiveraction.org/
GRANTS FOR CAREGIVERS
There are trillions of dollars in grant monies available in just the United States alone! However, there are grants that are specific to caregivers of patients of ALZ-D. Below are links to only a tiny fraction of the ones out there:
From The Alzheimer's Foundation:
https://alzfdn.org/find-a-member/grant-information/
Scholarship from Joyshouse.org:
https://joyshouse.org/programs/adult-day-services/guest-scholarships/
From an AARP article on AARP.org:
https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/financial-legal/info-2017/scholarships-for-family-caregivers.html
HELP & RESOURCES SEARCH BY STATE
Are you a caregiver who needs help? If you're a caregiver in the United States, use these links to search for help: state-by-state:
From FamilyCareAlliance.com:
https://www.caregiver.org/connecting-caregivers/services-by-state/
From No Wrong Door, nwd.acl.gov:
VETERANS & CAREGIVING VETERANS
Are you a member of the military and someone who is also a caregiver? If so, there are certain resources that you may qualify for if you have served in the United States military! And if you have or are a current member of our military: from all of us at Fight2Remember: WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!
Info about the AID AND ASSISTANCE program through the VA.gov:
https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/
Requirements & instructions for the AID AND ASSISTANCE program with the VA.gov:
https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21-2680/
Form required to be filled out for the AID AND ASSISTANCE program VA FORM 21-2680 from: vba.va.gov:
https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-2680-ARE.pdf
From NWD.ACL.GOV:
https://nwd.acl.gov/serving-veterans.html
A PDF about Veteran Direct Care, form NWD.ACL.GOV:
https://nwd.acl.gov/pdf/Veteran%20Directed%20Care.pdf
From MyArmyBenefits.com:
https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/Federal-Benefits/VA-Aid-and-Attendance-?serv=127
OUR PARTNERS
UPCOMING EVENTS
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From everyone at, Fight2Remember, we thank you so much for stopping by and we hope that you won't be a stranger. Stay humble & stay human!
And don't forget to ALWAYS:
Fight2Remember