There are many resources out there if people choose to reach for them. Some families will struggle and struggle until there's more of a crisis, and then it's a little tougher. |
What we've often observed in our clinic is that as the disease progresses, the individual with the disease is less aware and the focus really shifts to the caregiver because the demands in caring for that person become so great that they need help. |
You may see word finding difficulties or problems with conversation abilities so they start withdrawing. There could be depression, which we see quite a bit, or physical changes, behavioral changes, safety issues. Pretty soon that person may not be able to be left alone or they may get very attached to that caregiver, like a shadow, so that caregiver never gets a break. It's very difficult. |