Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Disease
Family Caregiver Support Program Offers Help to Caregivers
Getting an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is the first step in a long journey, both for the person diagnosed and for his or her family members. For those caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, the challenges of caregiving can have a big impact on their own health and well being.
Meet Dale Bruhn. Like so many people, Bruhn never contemplated becoming a caregiver until his wife Norma was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1986. Since then, the Madison resident has become an advocate for the programs and services that assist the families of those with the disease, and knows first hand the special challenges facing those caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. “The caregiver’s role with Alzheimer’s is somewhat different because the disease is a long, drawn-out process and a lot of it is supervision in the beginning,” says Bruhn. “The stress comes from having to deal with a progressively worsening situation – things get tougher week by week, and it’s hard watching the person you love change into someone you don’t recognize and who doesn’t recognize you.”
Bruhn advises people caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’ to learn as much as possible about the disease and about the help available to caregivers. The Family Caregiver Support Program is a great place to start. The program, available in every county and tribe in Wisconsin, provides information and resources to family caregivers who are caring for or concerned about someone who: is 60 years or older; has Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder regardless of age; or is a grandparent or relative caregiver 55 years of age and older who is caring for a child under age 19, or who is caring for a relative with a severe disability who is 19 to 59 years of age. Program specialists provide information and assistance on services such as adult day care, case management, home health and personal care, respite care, financial and legal matters related to caregiving, home delivered meals, transportation and more. They also work to connect caregivers with others who are dealing with a caregiving situation through support groups.
For Bruhn, caring for his wife took priority over caring for himself. Over time, the stress of caregiving took a toll on his health. He experienced chest pain, shortness of breath, and lost ten pounds in the last few months before Norma entered a care facility. Finally, one of the nurses who helped care for Norma told him that he needed to take better care of himself or he too would need care. “That was the turning point for me,” Bruhn said. “I had to accept the fact that she needed more help than I could give her on my own.”
Bruhn was Norma’s caregiver for over 15 years until her death in 2002 – seven of those years he cared for her at home. He says that while it was difficult, he wanted to be the one taking care of his wife. Having information, support and assistance made that possible. “I just wanted to do my best for her, and I found that meant taking care of myself too,” said Bruhn.
Caregivers in [YOUR COUNTY OR TRIBE] can find the Family Caregiver Support Program by calling [YOUR AGENCY NAME AND PHONE NUMBER]. Those caring for or concerned about someone in another county or tribe can find their local Family Caregiver Support Program by calling toll-free -- (866) 843-9810 -- or going to the website (www.wisconsincaregiver.org).