AUSTINTOWN, Ohio - It's a challenge facing more than five million American families. By mid century, it's estimated the number of people living with Alzheimer's could triple, forcing even more people into the role of caregiver.
"You have to have confidence to care for somebody with Alzheimer's, you know, and that is a daily tip we give our caregivers, too. You have to display confidence in your actions because if you don't then people don't trust you when you are taking care of them," said Dottie Johntony with Home Instead Senior Care in Austintown.
Johntony says its easy for caregivers to become overwhelmed and frustrated. In fact, according to the Alzheimer's Association, 60 percent of Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregivers rate the emotional stress of their job as high or very high.
"Unfortunately, the part of care giving that nobody truly sees is the side where you are not getting the care you need for yourself because you can't care for somebody else if you aren't taking care of the needs for yourself, too," said Johntony.
To help prevent caregivers from becoming overwhelmed, Home Instead has created a free app, available only for Apple products, that families can use to search behaviors and find solutions to problems.
It's also designed to help families manage the stress so they can maintain the confidence they need to care.
In honor of World Alzheimer's Month, Home Instead Senior Care is also offering free booklets with tips and resources to families and caregivers.
You can call their office at 330-729-1233 for a copy.
Those same booklets will also be given out on Tuesday, September 24 at the 'Confidence to Care' family workshop, which is a free program for caregivers.
It will take place at Home Instead Senior Care, 45 N. Canfield Niles Road in Austintown.
To register, call 330-729-1233.
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