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Observation of Alzheimer's Support Group

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Running Head: OBSERVATION OF ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT 1

Observation of Alzheimer’s Support Group

OBSERVATION OF ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT 2
Observation of Alzheimer’s Support Group On February 7, 2011 I attended the Alzheimer’s support group held at St. Roberts Adult Daycare Center in St. Charles, Missouri. Tina Joyner facilitated this group of nine caregivers and three students. There were two groups conducted simultaneously; one for the caregivers, the other for the individual who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. The groups were held in different rooms in the same building, and were scheduled for a one hour time period. A guest speaker, Grace, from Washington University appeared to invite caregivers to a pilot study being conducted over a one year period which was titled Caregiver Stress Project. The purpose of the study is to measure the effect of stress on the caregiver.
I had arrived early and had a chance to speak with “C”, whose wife was unable to attend. He explained that she was in the final stages and had been placed on hospice in August 2010. He told me that a nurse comes weekly, and as needed, but he provides all other care for his wife. They have a daughter who stays with her mother while “C” takes care of errands and demands outside the home. “C” speaks of his wife in a loving way and describes her as being very easy to take care of. He states that he feels very blessed to have the opportunity to take care of her and spend this time with her even though “she doesn’t even know I’m there or who I am”. He appeared to be strong and accepting of the disease process and had credited the support of clergy and his support group as

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