As a nurse, your primary responsibilities are to provide support and education and to help them deal with their emotions, which can range from denial to anger to great sadness. Support groups for early-stage patients and caregivers provide information and moral support and can help Mrs. Johnson anticipate and cope with her husband's physical and behavioral changes. If she needs to learn specific skills, she may also benefit from individual counseling. Also refer her to community services that offer resources for caregivers, who can easily become depressed and exhausted. A community respite program that provides in-home care could allow Mrs. Johnson to take breaks from her caregiving responsibilities.
Some nursing homes have respite care programs.
Depending on Mr. Johnson's functional level, adult day care may also be an option. Volunteers from the Friendly Visitor Program can visit with Mr. Johnson regularly. Recommend the Area Agency of Aging, Council on Aging, or the local Alzheimer's Association chapter for help in finding community resources. One of the most frustrating aspects of AD is its unpredictability. You can help a caregiver cope by teaching her about behavior changes and offering effective approaches to manage problems and keep the patient safe.