Alzheimer’s and dementia related diseases have significant, noticeable effects on patients, but a recent report examined caregivers and their own modifications for a healthy lifestyle, according to Business Wire. The report by Healthline.com, “State of Caregiving for Alzheimer’s Disease and related Dementia 2018,” examined 400 active caregivers and challenges they encounter for caring for a loved one. It also noted how science and technology may eventually change a caregiver’s role.
According to the report, almost two-thirds of caregivers who oversee patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia said they would take medication to delay their own memory loss by even six months, if it were inexpensive and had no side effects. Over half of the caregivers said they have modified their lifestyles in effort to be healthier and prevent memory loss. On the contrary, only one-third of caregivers have actually been tested for the Alzheimer’s gene.
“Alzheimer’s disease is on the rise, and the landscape is evolving – the types of clinical trials, treatments, resources/support, and the accelerated need for more family caregivers to take on the intensive responsibility of care for loved ones,” said Diane Ty, Project Director of the Global Social Enterprise Initiative and AgingWell Hub, in the report. “Healthline’s report helps prepare the modern patient and caregiver for the new state of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.”
The report also indicated that caregivers who have a loved one aging with Alzheimer’s or related dementia, are more prompted to be genetically tested for the disease. About 49 percent of millennials are proactive about getting tested contrary to Gen Xers and Boomers, 36 percent and 17 percent, respectively.
“We know our readers – both patients and their caregivers – have individual health journeys and we always strive to understand their specific paths, and how our content can best support them,” said Tracy Stickler, Editor in Chief, Healthline. “The latest ‘State of…’ report helps deepen our understanding of the evolving needs of the caregiver so we can create content and programs to better support them in making critical decisions.”