Introduction
Programs for the person with the disease may be available in your community. Adult day programs and volunteer visitors can provide stimulation and the opportunity for the person to participate in meaningful activities. Depending upon where you live, short-term (respite) and permanent housing options may include supportive living, group homes, retirement residences or long-term care facilities. Your local Alzheimer Society will have information on the services that are available in your area. In making your decision, try to remain flexible and keep in mind the needs of the person you're caring for.
When looking at caregiving options, it is important to remember that there are no right or wrong choices. Each caregiver will make a decision based on their own particular situation. For some, the decision will be to continue providing care at home or in the community. For others, the choice will be made to arrange for care provided in a long-term care facility.
Learning more about the disease and being able to talk about your feelings can often help to clarify your decision. Alzheimer's disease will eventually require full-time caregiving and you can't do it alone. Your friends, family or an Alzheimer support group of caregivers can be especially important during this time.
If you decide to continue caregiving at home, it will be important to know about the support services that are available. In-home respite services, a home-care worker or visiting nurse can provide you with relief from caregiving tasks. At the same time, you might wish to consider enlisting additional support for day-to-day chores such as housekeeping, laundry and home maintenance. The Alzheimer Society can inform you of the available services in your area.
If you decide to arrange for care in a long-term care facility, there are a number of things you can do to make this decision easier -- both for you and for the person with the disease.
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