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ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER SERVICES
Dementia is a different kind of illness than most because patients have a reduction in memory, judgment, and reasoning. Therefore, patients are less able or unable to evaluate and describe their symptoms, so physicians must depend on observations from relatives and caregivers who are very familiar with the patient's daily behavior. Caregiver input is necessary to form a correct diagnosis and arrange for appropriate long-term care. Thus, interviews with the family members, separate from the patient, are necessary for comprehensive understanding of the patient's level of functioning at home and at work. The information gained from these interviews coupled with neurological, psychological, and laboratory evaluations of the patient are sufficient for arriving at a correct and meaningful diagnosis of dementia.
After the entire evaluation process is completed, a 60-90 minute family report and treatment planning appointment will be scheduled. Those attending this important meeting are the Neurologist, the Caregiver Specialist, the patient, and the patient's family. Other professionals involved in the diagnostic assessments may attend, such at the Occupational Therapist. The family may invite the patient's primary care physician or referring physician also. The Neurologist will review with the patient and family all testing results and deliver the diagnosis. Afterwards, the Caregiver Specialist will meet with the family to plan management and care for the patient.
The caregiver education services provided by our clinic allow the caregiver to manage the dementia patient at home as long as possible. The benefits to the family are both emotional and financial. Keeping the dementia patient in a home setting is psychologically the best for both patient and family. Delaying nursing home placement also avoids a substantial financial burden, since the yearly cost for quality nursing home care averages $38,000. Monthly caregiver education groups cover such subjects as:
1. Clinical symptoms and progression of dementia over time
2. Legal issues for dementia patients and their families
3. Safety concerns and programs such as "SAFE RETURN" ID for patients
4. Stress control and emotional health maintenance for caregivers
5. Community resources for respite, financial assistance, care-at-home equipment
6. Structuring home life and daily activities appropriate for dementia patients
7. Managing disruptive behaviors of the dementia patient
8. Enhancing communication with the dementia patient
9. Personal care and hygiene strategies for the dementia patient
10. Nutrition and meal presentation for the dementia patient
Family members may contact the Center's Caregiver Specialist (a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist) during the workweek for consultation regarding patient issues throughout the year. The caregiver education groups have been shown to improve management of patients at home and to maintain caregiver emotional and physical health, through stress reduction. We highly recommend that the services be used if your loved one is diagnosed with dementia.
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