It’s the diagnosis that can strike dread in the hearts of family caregivers: Alzheimer’s disease. That’s because this illness and other dementias often steal from older adults what they treasure most: their identity. That’s a traumatic prospect both for older adults and the family members who love and care for them.

• About 44,000 people in Ireland are currently living with some form of dementia - a number that is expected to reach nearly 104,000 by 2037. 
• There are over 50,000 caregivers whose lives are also affected as each day they care for their loved ones who are no longer able to care for themselves.

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Home Instead knows the havoc these conditions can wreak in the lives of older people and their families. In fact, many of the older people cared for by our Professional CAREGivers have dementia. So we’ve witnessed the fear and loss that older adults face. We’ve come to understand how Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias steal from family caregivers as well. These conditions take their energy, peace of mind and happiness.

If you’re living it now, you know all too well. If your loved one just received the diagnosis, you’re likely anxious about the future – for your loved one and yourself.

You want your loved one to be safe and engaged in life. But given the memory and behavioural changes that sometimes accompany dementia, how can you ensure this happens? And how do you also take good care of yourself while providing excellent care to your family member?

For more details check out our section on Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care.