The Long Good-Bye: Supporting Caregivers of Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

Authors

Michel Statler MLA, PA-C, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Psychiatry

Advisor

Dipu Patel, DMSc, PA-C

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to review the impact on the caregivers of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and describe the approach needed to objectively assess caregiver needs to provide resources to reduce caregiver burden.

Method: A PubMed literature search was conducted with search terms Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, and caregiver burden. Nineteen relevant articles were retrieved and served as the basis for this clinical review along with three web-based resources.

Results: Caregiver burden is well-documented in the medical literature and there are several self-assessment tools available to provide valuable information for healthcare professionals and caregivers to guide interventions to support caregiver needs.

Conclusion: Alzheimer’s dementia is a devastating disease that robs patients of their ability to take care of themselves due to progressive loss of memory and other cognitive functions. The number of patients currently affected by Alzheimer’s disease are staggering, and those numbers are expected to more than double to thirteen million patients by 2050.

Recommended Citation

Statler M. The Long Good-Bye: Supporting Caregivers of Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2023; 5(1).