Caring Web

Alzheimer's Disease Caregivers-Education Module

Caregiving…Staying Strong, Finding help: A male perspective

Authors: Cheryl E. Gies, DPN, APRN, CNP; Todd Bierley, MSN, APRN, FNP

Although men may experience less distress in the caregiver role and are known to control their frustrations better than women, men are less likely to recognize they need services and are less likely to access services.  Men delay seeking services until they are faced with a crises that prevents them from providing safe care.  Attitudes, values, experiences, cost and availability are factors in men’s decision to seek help.

When men find themselves in the caregiver position, it is often a time of role reversal as women are traditionally seen as caregivers.  Because men may lack training in providing personal care they are at risk for adverse outcomes such as: depression, fatigue, anxiety, sleep disturbances, hospitalization and mortality.

Have you ever wondered where men can go to find help caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease?  As a male, many of the situations we find ourselves in as caregivers may be new and challenging. This module will identify some caregiving needs and direct you to some resources.

Learning Objectives:

Using this module will help you to:

  1. Recognize that there is help available for caregivers
  2. Find community, state and national resources.

Presentation

The following presentation is an actual interview between a nurse and a male caregiver. This elderly gentleman cared for his wife for three years in their home. His journey as a caregiver could have been less of a struggle for both his wife and for him if resources and support had been identified and implemented as needed.

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Presentation by Todd Bierley
Testimony of a male caregiver           
 


Tips for Finding Resources

  1. Ask yourself “what do I need?”                       
  2. Make a list of needs and worries
  3. Share your list with:
    • Trusted family member 
    • Health care provider
    • Minister
    • Friend
    • Locate your local Alzheimer Association office
    • Remember: Asking for help is a sign of strength

Resources and Web Links

Click on this link to read “The Guilt that Accompanies Caregiving”PDF.

Click on this link then click on white arrow in the left bottom corner of the screen to watch “Caregiver Tactics” http://caregiveraction.org/getting-prepared

Caregiver Resources in Toledo, Ohio

Home Health Agencies with In-Home Care: The Toledo, Ohio area has 17 agencies

Home Health Agencies

A Place for Mom  allows caregivers to search and review facilities available in their area:

Toledo, Ohio area facilities (Word Document)

The Area Office of Aging of Northwestern Ohio 

Caregiver Resources in Ohio and Michigan

Physical and Occupational  Therapy

Ohio Health provides information about services

Regional Therapy Resources (Word Document)

Information on Interior Home Cleaning Services

Search for Housekeeping Services

National Caregiver Resources

Alzheimer’s Association Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Center: Hospice Care 

Alzheimer’s Association Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center: Respite Care

AlzOnline an online support system with information on state resources including financial issues.

American Society on Aging:  25 Organizations that Take Care of Caregivers.

Family Caregiver Council.

Getting Help with Alzheimer's Caregiving - National Institute on Aging.

Resources | Alzheimer's Association.

 

References:

Alzheimer’s Association. (2017). 2017: Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and figures. https://www.alz.org/documents_custom/2017-facts-and-figures.pdf

Alzheimer’s Association Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center.  (2017).  http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-hospice.asp

Calasanti, T.  & King, N. (2007). Taking “women’s work” “like a man”: Husbands’ experiences of care work. The Gerontologist, 47(4), 516-527.

Collins, C.R. (2014).  Men as caregivers of the elderly: Support for the contributions of sons. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 7, 525-531.

Gies, C. E., Steiner, V., Pierce, L., van der Bijl, J. & Salvador, D. (2010). Web-based Psychosocial Assessment for Caregivers of Persons with Dementia: A Feasibility Study.  Rehabilitation Nursing, 39(2), 102-109.

Gies, C.E. (2011).  Developing gender-specific web-based educational modules for caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease.  Western Journal of Nursing Reseach, MNRS DNP Student Award abstract, 33(8), 1110-1111.

Kramer, B. and Thompson, E. (2005). Men as Caregivers. Amherst, NY: Promerheus Books.

Nichols, L.O., Martindale-Adams, J., Burns, R., Graney, M.J. & Graney, M., & Zuber, J. (2011). Translation of a dementia caregiver support program in a health care system – REACH VA. Archives of Internal Medicine, 171 (4), 353-359.

Pinquart, M., & Sorensen, S. (2006).  Gender differences in caregiver stressors, social resources, and health: An updated meta-analysis. Journal of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences & Social Sciences, 61B(1), 33-45.

Last Updated: 6/27/22