My father recently lost a battle to Alzheimer\u2019s disease, one that had been slowly escalating over the last nine years. The hints were there from time to time in the early stages. Our family overlooked these indicators with excuses. Over time, our family realized that something bigger was at play changing my father\u2019s perceptions and personality. Diagnosed with dementia early on, and later re-diagnosed as Alzheimer\u2019s disease and dementia, this disease would ultimately ruin my father\u2019s quality of life while complicating ours as his caregivers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the US alone, an estimated 5.8 million people currently have Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. This figure may rise to 14 million people by 2050<\/a><\/strong> as life expectancy continues to increase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alzheimer\u2019s disease is now the sixth leading cause of death and the only one in the top ten causes of death in the US that are on the rise. It\u2019s also the only leading cause of death that medical experts can\u2019t cure, prevent, or slow down.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Finding care can be precarious and our family learned about the limited options available to us during the process. When you assume the role of caregiver there\u2019s an added emotional and physical toll that takes you by surprise. You lose your identity as a son, daughter, or spouse and become a nurse, boss, and therapist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With cognitive disorders, it becomes even more complicated when the patient associates you with things they don\u2019t want you to do for them (bathe, bathroom assistance, changing, and administering medicines). Their behavior becomes hostile and sometimes violent, changing how you relate to them and how they see you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Without a care plan in place, in-home care was our only option, since just a few care days per week can quickly add up. For instance, 44 hours of outside caregiving work can easily add up to more than $45,000 a year<\/a><\/strong>. We were <\/strong>only able to do four days a week to stay on budget for other medical and living expenses. The shortfall left gaps in service that our family members filled by becoming my father\u2019s caregivers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The hours were mostly nights and weekends, usually after long days of full-time work, to assist with incontinence and mobility issues. I can\u2019t emphasize the amount of extra stress this adds to a family dynamic. These circumstances challenged us every day throughout the last several years of my father\u2019s life. Our lives became increasingly stressed as his condition worsened. Fortunately, moving my parents across the street two years ago eliminated the burden of distance. Geography can become an extra stressor for the family caregiver and long-distance caregivers reported the highest average annual expenses.<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"stock](\"https:\/\/www.figmarketing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/shutterstock_1363372232-1024x447.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nLimited Options Without Care Planning<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"long](\"https:\/\/www.figmarketing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/shutterstock_550949203-1024x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Financial](\"https:\/\/www.figmarketing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/figlogo17-tri-red-150x150.png\")
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