By Thekla Gordon
HealthCare Navigators
August 25, 2009
The recent news of a worker stealing from the elderly has alarmed many people, especially those who have a loved one in an adult living facility.
A recent study published in HealthDay in January found that elder abuse, especially those with Alzheimer’s is prevalent. Although actual physical abuse was rare, 26% of caretakers verbally abused and threatened the Alzheimer’s patient. These are caretakers taking care of difficult and frustrating patients that get caught in situations that are very stressful. Beth Kallmyer of the Alzheimer’s Associations wants people to realize “people can’t do this alone. It is a progressive disease, so the ability of the person being cared for diminishes with time. This causes great stress.”
So where can caregivers turn for help and who will be watching our loved ones when we are gone? These are questions that everyone with an older relative or friend should be asking. Most facilities have methods and safety nets in place to prevent getting over stressed. However, the bottom line is that we are ultimately responsible for monitoring the facility. The Alzheimer’s Association has a 24 hour help line available 1-800-272-3900 and stress test on line www.alz.org/stresscheck. Likewise the Council on Aging for Southwest Ohio (www.help4seniors.org) has emergency assistance as well information on stress for caregivers.
SOURCE: Rodeo Cincinnati.Com
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