Changes in the environment include changes in the home environment during the illness and changes of location from home to hospital and long-term care home.

Examples:

• Moving to a new city or town
• Changing the home environment to be supportive
• Visitors, such as increased numbers of visiting friends, family, nurses, etc. affecting the household
• Confinement to the home
• Home to hospital or professional care – moving from home to the hospital or to a professional caregiving setting
• Moving in with a family member or friend (or having someone move in with you) to provide needed care and support
• Feeling isolated

Examples from others who have experienced these changes:

“I got to the point that I was unable to care properly at home for my wife. She is now in a LTC facility.”

“Our friends left and I felt totally isolated.”

“Upon diagnosis – feeling alone, no support. I was unemployed (due to my spouse’s diagnosis) and had very little hope. I was deeply depressed and did not know where to turn. Only after making a decision to move to a larger center did help become available.”