Alzheimer’s carers suffer financial instability
Three out of four Alzheimer’s carers have found that family relationships have been strained, with 67% finding it difficult to get commitment from others regarding the sharing of care, according to a survey.
When asked about the financial impact of the disease, 57% said their loved one’s illness had impacted on their financial stability. A little more than one third said the financial burden was the main reason they had not considered putting their loved one in a home.
The findings were revealed at the launch of mypeaceofmind.ie, which provides guidance from a range of Irish experts for people living with Alz-heimer’s and their carers.
About 44,000 people in Ireland are living with some form of dementia, with Alzheimer’s accounting for 66% of all cases.
The research was conducted at the end of last year, with all of the 600 participants screened to ensure that they were either a full-time carer or shared responsibility for someone who had Alzheimer’s disease.
More than two thirds said they were prompted to take their relative to a doctor after observing one of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
Almost eight out of 10 reported confusion with time or place as the most common symptom.
More than half (53%) of all diagnoses occurred at the moderate stage of the disease. In one in four cases, an enduring power of attorney had been created setting out the wishes of the person with Alzheimer’s as the condition progressed.
An enduring power of attorney is a legal device that can only be set up when the person is well and takes effect when a person becomes incapacitated.
Due to the progressive nature of the condition, the level of care required increases over time and that can take a physical and emotional toll on the carer.
The research revealed that 41% of carers feel frustrated most or all of the time because of their situation; 34% feel physically drained; and 21% were experiencing stress, nervousness, and panic attacks.
Personal finance expert Jill Kerby said it was understandable that financial and legal planning was put on the back burner when a loved one received a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Ms Kerby said engaging a solicitor to create an enduring power of attorney could go a long way to helping people plan for the future.
GP Dr Nina Byrnes said the carers of people with Alzheimer’s disease should be realistic about what they can expect in the future in terms of the disease’s progression and levels of care that they can provide.
