Testimonials — Alzheimer's Caregiving

Thank you very much for your donation of 6 pets.  We did received them from the Hospital Foundation soon after their arrival.  After all the staff enjoyed to look at them we have started to include them in our distribution program.  We gave out our first one today and had excellent results. On a funny note, our social worker was carrying one of the long-haired dogs donated and a hospital administrator came up to see why an unauthorized animal was being brought to the hospital by staff. The patient who received it enjoyed it very much as well. Anthony Arslan,...

It isn't hard to imagine that taking care of a loved one as a caregiver can be an emotionally, mentally, and psychically draining responsibility. May caregivers feel depressed and isolated and have more or less put their lives on hold to care for their loved one. Yet time and life are not only passing for the person being taken of, but for the caregiver as well, so it is crucial that caregivers learn to care for themselves and maintain their one physical and emotional health. Making caregiving schedules in advance, like managing medicine times and doses, taking respites from...

A survey conducted by the CQC (Care Quality Commission) found that eight of ten people rate choosing to care for an elderly relative as one of the most stressful life experiences, above divorce or separation from a partner, buying a house, or getting married. Much of the reason for this stress apparently comes from caregivers or loved ones having to sift through lacking or poor information regarding care facilities that they aren't sure that they can fully trust. When dealing with dementia especially, many family members struggle with finding the best and most viable care options, and want to make...

Caregivers of loved ones suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's often suffer in the face of demanding challenges associated with handling these types of diseases. Many times caregivers are torn between their caregiving responsibilities, as well as obligations in their own professional and personal lives. This may mean a myriad of things; cancelling long-made plans with friends or family to deal with unforeseen emergencies related to their loved one's illness.  The heartbreak and frustration of watching a loved one, often a parent or close family member, slowly deteriorate as a result of Alzheimer's and dementia can lead caregivers to becoming depressed themselves--they...