Barriers And Solutions to Premier Alzheimer's Care

Barriers experienced by caregivers of people with dementia cause
multidimensional stress and a higher risk of caregiver burnout. Our
solution was to identify specific impediments to successful caregiving and
provide targeted services addressing these problems.

We identified eleven circumstances that contribute to caregiver burnout and
stress. A few of them are: denial of the existence of the disease;
confusion about the disease; identifying appropriate supports and knowing
when to add them; and lack of understanding of the progression of the
disease.

GEM Respite Care. provides progressive supports for caregivers beginning
with "ALZ 101" to foster a better understanding of the disease; "Caring
Effectively" a more in-depth dementia specific training and Group Respite
Care designed for people with dementia offering 20 hours a week of caregiver
relief.

Provision of these targeted solutions and services furnishes caregivers with
tools to successful caregiving for their loved ones with dementia, thus
alleviating burnout.

Gail E Sonnesso M.S.
Executive Director
GEM Adult Day Services Inc.
Where group Respite is therapeutic for both our participants, and their
families.
(252) 480-3354
http://www.gemdayservices.org