Power of Attorney

As you begin to take responsibility for more areas of an Alzheimer patient's life, you will require the appropriate legal authority.  This is done through a Power of Attorney, and should be arranged early on, while the patient is still capable of assigning the authority to you.  Contact a lawyer or a Notary Public to help you with this.

Home Health (I Need Help!)

Whether you are caring for an Alzheimer patient at home or whether the patient lives independently, there will come a time when you will need help.  Sometimes, this need will manifest itself in your life with the desperate realization that you need a vacation or you are suffering symptoms of burn out.

My advice?  Don't wait that long.

If you contact your local health authority, they can put you in touch with "Home Health"  which will offer some of the following support services:

Personal Care Needs such as bathing and washing, dressing, grooming, taking medication, and meal preparations.  (Note that this list does not include running errands or housecleaning).

Respite, which is a place that the patient can go and stay for awhile while you go on vacation or take a much needed break.

Information about other support services available in your community.  There is a vast network of health authority and not for profit organizations providing services such as:

• Shop by Phone - volunteers will help patients complete a grocery shopping list.   A local grocery store participates in the program and delivers the groceries.
• Meals on Wheels
• Volunteer Visitors and Phone Calls
• Day Programs where your loved one can go for a few hours during the day.
• Various social activities such as lunch and other outings.
• Transportation options such as HandyDART

You can find your local health authority by calling your provincial government, or using the Internet:  http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/socsec/contacts.html.  Make sure that you contact the local health authority where the patient resides.

Your health authority will assign you a Home Health professional (Case Manager).  She/he will visit you or the patient in the home and assess what government services the patient is eligible for and how much they will cost him/her.   Your Case Manager will also provide you with contact information to access the services offered by other organizations.

Keep in touch with your Case Manager as your needs change.  They will make frequent house visits to reassess changing circumstances. 

Don't be shy or try to do it all by yourself - ask for help!  Finding out what services are available before you find yourself in an emergency situation is always less stressful.