Role of Caregivers

August 29, 2007

Much has changed since they first became involved with a support group. There is much more public awareness about Alzheimer’s and because of this, families generally are getting the diagnosis in the earlier stages of the disease. Consequently, their need for support and services lasts a greater of length of time. As this trend continues, there will be a need for more groups such as groups for early stages, male/female caregivers, adult children, children and teenagers, cultural specific, long-distance caregivers, and, most important of all, individuals diagnosed with the disease. The list of specialized groups is endless depending on the needs of the community. It is clear that as our population ages and more people are diagnosed at earlier times, the need for a variety of support groups will be ever increasing.An important role of caregivers is that of advocate for the person with Alzheimer’s disease. From dealing with medical, legal, and financial concerns to talking to state and federal officials for increased services, the victims of Alzheimer’s disease depend on their families and friends to speak for them. Caregivers are the voice for those who no longer can speak for themselves. Through support groups, caregivers will receive the knowledge and resources needed to carry out this difficult task.

There is currently a great debate over the future of the health care system in our nation. All agree that changes must be made for Medicare and Medicaid to survive in the coming years. What is troubling about the debate is that there is no assurance these changes will bring about a better system of long-term care that is needed for families caring for those with Alzheimer’s. In fact, there is the strong possibility that much of the progress that has been achieved over the past ten years toward unproved services and help for families may be wiped away. It is the responsibility of groups and caregivers to not only be aware but also be involved in this debate. We must call upon our nation’s leaders to make policies that are compassionate and caring as well as fiscally sound.

Some More Facts

They have tried to provide a better understanding of why support groups are needed, the role that support groups play, and what they believe will be the major challenges for the future of these groups. It is essential that the public and those in positions of power empathize with the emotions that caregivers face daily. Caregivers are in a no win situation. They know there are no “easy” or “best” solutions to the financial and emotional problems they face. The social and political system they have believed in and supported all their lives offers little help in their time of need. Most face the unkindest situation life can offer-that of hoping their loved ones would die before resources run so low that they can no longer be cared for properly. Their lives are filled with grief, frustration, loneliness, stress, and disappointment, yet they have never met people of such devotion and determination, whose overwhelming desire is to provide properly for their loved ones. They find it ironic that in a society whose members thrive on instant self-gratification, there are caregivers who sacrifice all and continue to love, even when their loved ones are only a distorted shell of their former selves.

They have been inspired by the love and devotion of the caregivers. They are today’s unsung heroes. Their courage and spirit represent all that Americans have traditionally valued, and yet they are treated so callously and indifferently by our society. Surely they deserve better. They said at the beginning that they had a vision of a monster in my family’s future, waiting to devour all of us. Well, the monster is still there, but it is much smaller now. My fear of the monster has been replaced by anger and determination to see this disease eradicated. They hope others will have these same feelings toward this devastator of minds and souls, and will join our battle to see that this generation will be the last to suffer and to die from Alzheimer’s disease. The monster can be slain, but it will take many swords fighting together .

Posted in Alzhemier Disease