Curridabat and San Pablo de Heredia will be the first communities in Costa Rica this year that will have “respite centers” for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease.
The president of the Costa Rican Association of Alzheimer’s and other related dementias (ASCADA), Norbel Roman, explained that the concept is to adapt physical spaces for patients to be there while the caregiver takes some management.
The intention is to provide a space for those caring for a patient with dementia to have some time to develop their personal life.
This way you can take a moment to study, go to a medical appointment, or just relax.
Roman clarified that this possibility is enabled occasionally and is necessary because the caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease suffer significant wear for the work they perform.
In addition, currents specialists on the subject reiterate the best place to be an individual with the condition is in your home and permanent “institutionalized” places of care is rejected.
These sites “of rest” are established in day centers for the elderly, who generally do not admit them because they only cater to those who have the ability to fend for themselves.
In addition, patients with Alzheimer require special care.
The “rest centers” will include occupational and psychology therapy as well as containment tools to handle the case.
Both Curridabat and San Pablo are finalizing details so in less than two months they can begin operating. If the pilot is successful it is planned to extend the program to other cities.
Roman said these community efforts are necessary because they have the ability to generate a more direct impact on families with a member with Alzheimer’s awareness and level of citizenship.
Costa Rica lacks reliable data on the number of people who have some dementia. It is known that the majority of both caregivers and patients are women. In addition, 90 percent of managers are familiar.
Source: AmeliaRueda.com
