professional home care in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease: Interventions, support measures and benefits for people with dementia

According to Gleichweit & Rossa (2009), dementia is an age-related condition of unknown origin. Demographic change is leading to a greater proportion of the population being older, thereby increasing the risk of developing dementia. According to Ferri et al. (2005), the projected increase in prevalence for the year 2020 was around 43 per cent and is expected to reach around 102 per cent by 2040. This means that the number of people affected by dementia in Western Europe will more than double by 2040. According to Bartholomeyczik et al. (2008), around 70 per cent of people with dementia live with their relatives in private households. The strain on family carers is very high due to their own physical health and self-assessed competence, as well as the physical impairment of the person with dementia. The inevitable rise in care needs and the associated workload necessitates a greater number of professional carers. However, this development presents the healthcare system with a major societal challenge (Bartholomeyczik, 2008).