Abstract
The majority of persons with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) live at home and receive care from a relative or friend. There are little epidemiological data about these caregivers, but certain conclusions can be drawn from general data on the elderly population. For example, the literature shows:
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Families care for at least as many disabled elderly as are being cared for in institutions (Brody et al., 1978).
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Families provide emotional support---the form of family help most cherished by the elderly (Shanas, 1979).
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Families provide more than 80% of needed financial and other help for community based elderly (Comptroller General, 1977).
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Families use formal support resources, such as home care aides and day care, to extend home care, thus delaying nursing home placement (Horowitz, 1985).
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Families do not dump their elderly into nursing homes. Most often, institutional placement is preceded by prolonged, exhausting efforts to keep members in the community (Brody, 1969).
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References
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Bell, V. (1987). When to Discontinue Home Care: The Caregiving Family’s Dilemma. In: Altman, H.J. (eds) Alzheimer’s Disease. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-6414-0_35
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-6414-0_35
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