Unpaid caregivers and the supports available

The federal, provincial and territorial governments recognize the need to keep seniors at home as long as is suitable for the person, as well as the benefits of doing so. They also recognize that their caregivers require significant support. The literature describing and analyzing services that support and sustain people with dementia living in their own homes is growing. The expansion of these services and programs is also growing, partly due to policies and practices that are increasingly emphasizing the benefits of supporting people to live in their own homes, for the individuals, their caregivers and health systems at large. While there are multiple gaps in the evidence base, some of the practices and recommendations that may help keep seniors with dementia in the community longer include:

·         Avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations by ensuring safe environments and providing assistance and support with more instrumental activities of daily living like shopping, food preparation and managing finances

·         Improving early detection, which could be beneficial in modifying lifestyle in order to delay the onset of symptoms as long as possible and in expanding cognitive reserve through intellectual stimulation

·         Maintaining and improving activities of daily living, like getting dressed and managing personal hygiene, by providing rehabilitation/exercise programs

·         Providing group housing options for seniors who would otherwise be living alone and unsupported

·         Providing better technology and support to seniors with dementia in the community

·         Providing meaningful breaks to unpaid caregivers through respite care and adult day care programs for individuals with dementia

·         Ensuring that education, training, practice guidelines and tools for front-line home care providers are available to support them to provide high-quality person-centred dementia care

Providing effective support to those living with dementia in the community and their families is an important component of dementia strategies. Such support helps caregivers to maintain their caregiving activities and have a personally rewarding experience.

Find out more about some of the community support resources available for caregivers in Unpaid caregiver challenges and supports.