Despite the fact that it takes their sweat and tears to take care of their elderly parents, many Malagasy people choose to keep their aging people at home. You may wonder why?

It still remains somehow unacceptable for many Malagasy people to leave their elderly at nursing homes due to the value of “valim-babena” —parents’ reward from their children for the care they have provided. Thus, putting retired parents in others ‘responsibility may represent children’s failure in their duty.

From the outside view, it may appear that aged people who suffer from Alzheimer’s are the most affected by this illness. However, “caretakers are more vulnerable to die before the Alzheimer’s victims whom they take care of”— according to Madagascar Alzheimer Masoandro Mody, a Malagasy organization aiming at helping Alzheimer’s victims and their caregivers.

Let us keep in mind that everyday, most Malagasy families who keep their parents—with cognitive impairment— at home, face multiple challenges such as stress, frustration, confusion, anxiety and especially depression. So how to deal with those feelings? Obviously, children, grandchildren or any family keeper may act with agitation and furor toward their aging loved one.

We all know that these days, life becomes challenging: many deadlines to meet, plenty of homework to submit, various responsibilities to handle. Adding to the struggles in taking care of aggressive Alzheimer’s victim, staying at home turns to burden for many care-providers. And there comes the feeling of loneliness!

What kind of help do they need?

According to Madagascar Alzheimer Masoandro Mody, the most valuable support caregivers ever need is making them feel they are not alone! Feeling alone is an issue that most Malagasy caregivers often face to some degree during their journey as a caregiver. Therefore, caregivers need to be supported in avoiding the shame of finding support.

Most of the time caretakers’ friends, spouses or even children seem to not understand what they are going through. Joining associations or small groups of people in a similar situation offers a feeling of community in the midst of loneliness. Local support groups can also afford them some tips to cope with the hard care recipient.

The Alzheimer's local association and groups provide information, help line, and support services to people with Alzheimer's and especially to their caregivers, including many pieces of advice with Alzheimer's disease stages. Calling or going online is the easiest way to reach out for such support.

Another benefit of being involved in this kind of group is that caregivers are given the chance to help others who are new to caregiving by sharing tips on what has and hasn’t worked well for them. In fact, caregivers often derive personal satisfaction by helping others while helping themselves.

Source: Madagascar Alzheimer Masoandro Mody