The coping process of the caregiver of an Alzheimer's patient
Below is a description of the coping process that a caregiver of an Alzheimer's patient goes through, according to the progression of the stages of the disease:
Emotional stages that the therapist goes through
Behavioral stages that the therapist goes through
Therapist's needs
Functions independently. Early signs and new behaviors
Denial or confusion
Expects healthy behavior from the patient
Need to maintain the normal situation
Diagnosis of the disease
Recognition of the illness: depression, helplessness, anger, disappointment, shame, stress and anxiety.
Recruiting help and/or recruiting domestic help
Information about the disease and community services. Emotional processing of anger, disappointment, shame, and depression.
Deterioration in function. Supervision required.
Acceptance of the illness: sadness, anger, mourning, feeling "imprisoned", loss of connection.
Fatigue, impatience, looking for help at home, looking for information and advice.
Information about the disease and community services. Emotional processing of sadness, anger, and grief.
Deterioration of function to the point of requiring nursing care. Arrangement of interior/exterior of the home
Guilt, but depression and despair. Ambivalence, relief, processing the breakup
Attachment to the patient in the institution and regular visits or distancing.
Information about institutions. Possibility to consider alternatives in the institution: need to process the separation.
demise
But, relief, guilt following the relief
Withdrawal, lack of energy, escaping the topic of death or seeking social connection and a listening ear.
Processing the loss. Need to share grief with others, need to be connected to the issue, or need to disconnect.
How can a support group help?
Amada's support groups across the country and on Zoom address the needs of the primary caregiver at the level of emotional processing, behavioral adjustments, and necessary changes at home, and are provided to the public - usually free of charge.
The answers of the support groups:
- Understanding, accepting, and legitimizing a range of emotions and behaviors
- Emotional processing of ambivalence: guilt, grief, and anger
- Knowledge from the personal experience of the participants
- Information about the disease and alternatives for coping
- Mutual support and help between participants between group meetings
For more information and to join a support group in your area or on Zoom, Click here: