Impact of Alzheimer's on Family Relationships

Alzheimer's disease not only impacts the person suffering from the disease but also everyone around him or her. To help understand what type of impact Alzheimer's disease has on family relationships and what a family can do to cope with their loved ones Alzheimer's disease, I have interviewed therapist Christine Greer, Ph.D. Candidate, LCSW.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

"I am a psychotherapist in private practice in Washington, DC, and I offer in-person, as well as phone and Skype video counseling to clients across the nation and throughout the world. I have extensive experience working with patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease and their family caregivers. My current doctoral research at New York University examines ethnic and racial differences in the Alzheimer's disease caregiving experience. The American Journal for Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias recently published an article I co-authored about a Latino family coping with Alzheimer's disease.

I am dedicated to helping families create a meaningful caregiving experience by educating them about Alzheimer's disease, helping them understand the changes in the Alzheimer's disease patient, connecting them to available services, and coordinating interdisciplinary treatment for them."

What type of impact can Alzheimer's disease have on family relationships?

" Alzheimer's disease is a difficult disease for patients and their families. It is a chronic, physically and mentally debilitating disease with no known cure. A person may suffer from Alzheimer's disease for decades, and the symptoms associated with it are often unpredictable. A large body of research has explored the complex experience of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease; studies have found that it is extremely stressful for, and can have deleterious effects on, individual caregivers and their families.

Family caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients have higher rates of depression and anxiety, increased social isolation, less life satisfaction, increased physical health problems and even increased risk of mortality, when compared to non-caregivers and non-dementia caregivers. As a loved one with Alzheimer's disease physically and mentally declines over the course of the disease, families may experience a range of emotions, including sadness, loss, hopelessness, anger, frustration, confusion, disappointment, fear, and exhaustion. Caregivers often find it difficult to balance care giving with other parts of their life, such as marriage, childrearing, career, social life, and exercise. Moreover, Alzheimer's disease can negatively affect family cohesion, family activities, communication, and conflict resolution."

What can a family do to cope with a loved one's Alzheimer's disease?

"There are several things families can do to cope with a loved one's Alzheimer's disease:

If you haven't already, obtain a formal diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease for your loved one. Make an appointment with a neurologist or geriatrician for a memory evaluation. The etiology of dementia varies, and Alzheimer's disease is just one of the many causes. Once your loved one has received a formal diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, talk to the physician about available treatment options.

Educate yourself about Alzheimer's disease and its symptoms and stages. Each stage of Alzheimer's disease has its unique challenges for families. Local chapters of the Alzheimer's Association and the Alzheimer's Foundation of America offer free information and support.

Talk to other families of Alzheimer's disease patients to learn from their experiences. One way to do this is to join a caregiver support group, often provided free of charge by the Alzheimer's Association, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, and university research programs.

Inform close family and friends that your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and describe the changes they can expect to see in your relative's behavior and personality over the course of the disease.

Ask for help. Reach out to extended family, friends, and neighbors for emotional support and help with caregiving tasks. Often, people are ready and willing to assist, but they may not know how to help unless you tell them what you need.

Obtain information about services such as homecare, long-term care insurance, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, day care centers, power of attorney, living wills, health care proxies, and last will and testaments. Decide whether these are appropriate options for your family.

Take care of yourself. Caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease requires a great deal of energy and patience. A strong, healthy, rested caregiver is a better caregiver. Be sure to make time for important areas of your life, such as enjoying hobbies, socializing, exercising, attending doctors' appointments, and relaxing."

What type of professional help is available for a family that is having difficulties because of a loved one's Alzheimer's?

"Licensed psychotherapists provide individual, couples, and family counseling. Some also provide support groups for families coping with Alzheimer's disease. Geriatric care managers work with families to plan and organize care for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease. Some clinical research trials provide counseling to families who are eligible to participate, and organizations like the Alzheimer's Association and the Alzheimer's Foundation of America offer peer support groups. Additionally, a respite summer camp, called Camp Building Bridges, provides support and education to children, ages 13-16, who have a parent with Alzheimer's disease. The camp is a pilot project and is located in Oklahoma."

Thank you Christine for doing the interview on the impact of Alzheimer's disease on families. For more information on Christine or to read her articles, you can visit her website at www.christinegreer.com.