Bobby with his dad
This is a recent AOL News article on the events that led up to a son being charge with the murder of his father. The son was the only caregiver for the Alzheimer’s inflicted father and their relationship was increasingly strained. It doesn’t have a happy ending for anyone but there might be some lessons learned here. If a professional caregiver would have been called in to give some respite to the son this might have never occurred. In the later stages of the disease the patient can become explosive, combative and violent, so maybe the situation was beyond external help, it is hard to tell.
I think it is incumbant on all of us to recognize if a friend or family member is getting overwhelmed and to strongly suggest external help. In situations like this caregivers not only provide care and support for the elderly loved one but gives such relief to the overworked family caregiver that it borders on rehabilitation.
Spend a little time on this article and please leave a comment.
http://news.aol.com/health/article/son-allegedly-killed-dad-with-alzheimers/759079
