Caregiver Support

I am a little late posting this month because of changes in my own life and it occurred to me that this might be a topic for the blog.  Although support of caregivers might seem to be more in the realm of public libraries, so many families are affected by loved ones with dementia that students, faculty, and staff at our institutions might welcome information that we can provide.

When dementia strikes, it is not always gradual.   A functional human being can rapidly become completely dependent on others and most of us are not prepared.   Also, many caregiver support groups are designed for those who do not work and so they are scheduled during the day.   Academic libraries would be doing a great service to offer lunchtime or evening sessions with speakers and resources for those who are struggling to balance care with full-time work or students who are coping with dementia in their families.  We can also assist with searches for reliable medical information and clinical trials.

Here are some helpful resources.

Alzheimer’s Association

Lewy Body Dementia Association

Medline Plus – Dementia

Although dementia is not always a disease the elderly, you may also want to partner with your local Area Agency on Aging.