Stressed carers need more support as Alzheimer’s cases increase

Relatives are often left with the stress of caring for parents with conditions such as Alzheimer’s. Getty People who care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease are suffering from anxiety, depression and "burnout" and need more support. Dr Harry Horgan, a clinical psychologist at the German Neuroscience Centre in Dubai, said the true extent of the stress placed on people who tend to loved ones round the clock is only now being realised. He said that as more patients show memory loss, confusion and behavioural change brought on by the disease, a greater support network is needed to help a growing band of carers, who are often left to deal with the trauma of seeing a loved one mentally disintegrate. “We know 25-30 per cent of people in a caring role for someone with Alzheimer’s will experience a significant level of anxiety and clinical depression,” said Dr Horgan. “That is a much higher rate than the general population." Profound personality changes in Alzheimer’s patients and occasional aggressive outbursts can be shocking and hard to deal with for families. The degenerative brain disease usually begins with memory loss or forgetfulness before progressive executive dysfunction, impulsivity and loss of inhibition. There is no treatment, although a blood test predicting the likelihood of one suffering from the disease in the future could soon be a reality. Doctors have said unpredictability often leads to lack of sleep for carers and family members, affecting their mental well-being. Close to 50 million people are living with the disease worldwide. Rates of depression vary between 23 and 85 per cent among carers in developed countries, with 45 per cent reporting that they experienced anxiety. “There is severe anxiety in many carers for the course of the illness,” said Dr Horgan. “Alzheimer’s is not fully understood, but is […]

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