Education, Training, and Support Programs for Caregivers of Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

This chapter discusses caregiver training, education and support program for those who care for individual affected with Alzheimer's disease. Although the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is unique to the individual, its effects extend to every family member. The course of its journey is especially challenging because there is no single linear continuum of support over the course of care. And, there is no recipe book of care. Alzheimer's families seek information at different points in their caregiving careers or at different points in their family member's disease trajectory. Despite recognized diversity and the need to customize family support and education, most Alzheimer's families must ultimately identify and negotiate complex decisions, provide strenuous, intimate physical care, and learn to manage strong emotions, anxiety, ambiguity, and uncertainty. How this translates to practice is that education, training, and support programs must be continuously available, offered through a variety of mediums, and accessible from familiar and trusted local sources. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)