BRAIN

The various roles of the carer of Alzheimer's patients

A carer is a person who helps at home a dependent person such as an elderly person or a person with Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease. The person may need help with daily tasks. But it may also be for regular monitoring of his or her health. The degree of dependence of these people is measured by the national grid of loss of autonomy. In this sense, the carer has a degree of responsibility in the accomplishment of his/her tasks.

The AGGIR or national grid of loss of autonomy

Aggir ou autonomie gérontologie groupes iso-resources is a tool for measuring the autonomy of elderly people and Alzheimer's patients. The grid is based on many factors and is carried out through the observation of an elderly person in the performance of essential, everyday acts. It is used in particular to determine whether an applicant for the APA or personalised autonomy allowance is entitled to it. But it will also be useful in judging the level of assistance he or she needs: entry into a retirement home, professional assistance service or family help.

The discriminating variables evaluated

They relate to the loss of psychological and physical autonomy of the person. These variables are:

According to the information provided by these different variables, the person will be classified in Iso Resource Groups (IRM).

The different GIR groups and admission criteria

There are a total of 6 GIRs. Dependent people will find themselves in RIMs between 1 and 4. Those with little or no dependency will be in IRMs 5 and 6. Thus, a person in GIR 1 requires a continuous presence that is indispensable. For GIR 2, continuous supervision or assistance is required in almost all activities of daily life. In GIR 3, people who require assistance several times a day for bodily aids are grouped together. People who need help with toileting and dressing or with meals and body care are grouped in GIR 4. The sixth GR6 group refers to the lowest level of dependency. Alzheimer's patients in this group are not eligible for an allowance.

The various carers of Alzheimer's patients

Alzheimer's patients can be helped by different carers. There are four types of carers:

The different tasks assigned to the carer

As a carer, the latter will in particular be called upon to help dependent persons such as Alzheimer's patients. He or she will thus have to:

Thus, a carer must:

There are different ways to help an Alzheimer's patient. Apart from moral support and help with household chores, a carer can help the person with Alzheimer's to manage money. He or she should keep a constant watch on the patient to avoid a possible accident.

Good reasons for a carer to do training

Sometimes you become a carer by force of circumstance: because a loved one, suffering from Alzheimer's, has become dependent. This is not an easy task considering all the situations one could face. Training is therefore essential. In particular, it will enable the carer to better understand the illness of the person being cared for, whoever he or she may be. In this way, he or she will be able to know how to behave towards the patient and what attitude to adopt.

Dedication and organisation are the two main qualities required of the carer of an Alzheimer's patient. The latter finds himself in a state of mental confusion with memory problems. These are the main reasons why a carer must: