Making the decision to place a loved one into long term care is often a very difficult decision. Caregivers can see long term care placement of someone with Alzheimer's in terms of failure. A failure to cope, a failure of their caregiving skills and a betrayal to their loved one. Guilt has to give way to practicality sometimes and the point at which you realize that long term care placement is best for your loved one is highly individual decision.
That decision does not always bring relief in terms of stress and emotional turmoil when placing a loved one into long term placement. A four year investigation led by Dr Richard Schulz, Director of the Center for Social and Urban Research at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine was published in 2004. It found that the 180 caregivers involved in the study experienced anxiety and depression as high as when they were in-home caregivers.
Their findings were in marked contrast to the relief identified by the same researcher to the death of a loved one with Alzheimer's. In this study, also carried out by Dr SChulz and his colleagues, caregivers experienced an improvement in their depression when their loved one died. It gave closure to their feelings.
The reactions of caregivers in these two contrasting situations identify the need for sensitivity, support and medical intervention in the transition from home care to long term care.
Profile of research subjects
The people in the study into the depression and anxiety experienced by caregivers in long term placement had an average age of 63 years and were mostly female. Most caregivers were spouses or children. They looked after people diagnosed with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease with an average age of 80 years. The caregivers in the sample were 56 percent white, 24.2 percent African American, and 19 percent Hispanic.
Easing the transition from home to long term care
The continuing feelings of guilt and caregivers distress identified in the study demonstrates the need for help during the placement process and that should continue throughout the time the loved one is in long term care.
Especially vulnerable are the spouses of the person with Alzheimer's. Although most spouses visited daily their depression did not improve if they did not receive supportive services.
Caregiving, a super human task
Having to witness the decline and suffering of their relative should never be underestimated whatever the circumstances. This research identifies a number of things.
