Alzheimer's and the Caregiver

Alzheimer's disease is a devastating illness. It affects not only the person with the disease, but the one responsible for his or her care as well. (Read about "Alzheimer's Disease")

In Alzheimer's, gradual memory loss leads to eventual dementia (Read about "Dementia"), in which someone loses so much of their intellectual abilities that they can't handle everyday tasks. According to the Alzheimer's Association, the exact causes of Alzheimer's are unclear, though research continues. We do know that the risk of developing the disease is higher if there's a family history of the disease. (Read about "Family Health History") Alzheimer's is also largely a problem of age. Although Alzheimer's can strike people as young as 30, the National Institutes of Health say the vast majority of people with the disease are over 65. This can make things especially difficult for a caregiving spouse who is also dealing with changes in his or her own body due to age.

Problems for caregivers

Regardless of age, for the person caring for a spouse or loved one with Alzheimer's, the changes caused by the disease take a heavy toll, both physically and mentally. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), this stress (Read about "Stress") felt by the caregiver can manifest itself in a number of ways:

• Caregivers may find themselves angry at the person with Alzheimer's, then angry at themselves for feeling this way.
• They may be exhausted, yet unable to sleep.
• They may be experiencing anxiety or irritability. (Read about "Anxiety")
• They may withdraw from friends and family, even though this is a time when support from friends and family is especially important.

In addition, the Alzheimer's Association says caregivers may develop depression (Read about "Depressive Illnesses") or anxiety over changing roles and duties, as the partner with Alzheimer's may no longer be able to do household or financial chores for which they were once responsible. There can also be an overwhelming feeling of isolation.

Helping to reduce stress

Although there's no way to make it easy to care for someone with Alzheimer's, the Alzheimer's Association has some suggestions for managing the increased stress:

• Get a medical opinion as soon as possible. If a loved one starts to exhibit signs of memory loss or loss of intellectual functioning, it's important to seek a doctor's advice. Alzheimer's is not the only thing that can cause memory loss. There may be other problems and a qualified doctor can help sort through the different possibilities.
• Find out about community resources. Options for someone with Alzheimer's can include adult day care, in-house assistance, visiting nurses or meal delivery services. (Read about "Planning for Long-Term Care")
• Get support. Family and friends are an important source of support, but may not always be available, or may not understand exactly what a caregiver is experiencing. Caregivers in such circumstances should not be afraid to seek professional help. There are also support groups for caregivers available through the Alzheimer's Association and other organizations.

It's also important to make sure financial and legal plans are in place. NIA says there are a number of issues to consider such as power or attorney, living trusts, future medical care, etc. Because the needs of caregivers in these legal areas vary so much according to their specific circumstances, professional guidance is often the most valuable. Your doctor or local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association may have more information on finding qualified and affordable professional help in these areas.

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