Alzheimer's Caregivers

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Basics

• Summary
• Start Here

Learn More

• Related Issues
• Specifics

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Research

• Statistics and Research
• Journal Articles

Resources

• Reference Desk
• Find an Expert
• Finance and Policy

For You

• Patient Handouts

Summary

Caring for someone who has Alzheimer's disease (AD) can be stressful and overwhelming. It's important to take care of yourself. Ask for and accept help.

Talk to the doctor. Find out what treatments might help control symptoms or address behavior problems. Find a support group. Others who have "been there" may be able to help and will understand.

If there are times of day that the person is less confused or more cooperative, take advantage of that in daily routines. Consider using adult day care or respite services. These offer a break with the peace of mind that the patient is being taken care of. Begin to plan for the future. This may include

• Getting financial and legal documents in order
• Looking into assisted living or nursing homes
• Finding out what your health insurance and Medicare will cover

NIH: National Institute on Aging

Start Here

• About Alzheimer's Disease: Caregiving (National Institute on Aging)
• Alzheimer's Caregiving (National Institute on Aging) - 108 pages
• Caregiver Depression (Alzheimer's Association)
• Caregiver Stress (Alzheimer's Association)
• Caregivers and Serious Illness (Administration for Community Living) - PDF
• Communication and Alzheimer's (Alzheimer's Association)
• Grief and Loss as Alzheimer's Progresses (Alzheimer's Association)
• Managing Personality and Behavior Changes (National Institute on Aging) - PDF
• Providing Everyday Care for People with Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging)

Related Issues

• 10 Tips for Traveling with Your Loved One (Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation)
• Adapting Activities for People with Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging) Also in Spanish
• Bathing, Dressing, and Grooming: Alzheimer's Caregiving Tips (National Institute on Aging) - PDF Also in Spanish
• Changes in Intimacy and Sexuality in Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging) - PDF Also in Spanish
• Changes to Your Relationship (Alzheimer's Association)
• Continuing Care (Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation)
• Coping with Agitation and Aggression (National Institute on Aging) - PDF
• Coping with Late-Stage Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging) Also in Spanish
• Driving Safety and Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging)
• Finding the Right Place for the Person with Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging)
• Food, Eating and Alzheimer's (Alzheimer's Association) Also in Spanish
• Going to the Hospital: Tips for Dementia Caregivers (National Institute on Aging) - PDF
• Healthy Eating and Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging)
• Helping Family and Friends Understand Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging) - PDF Also in Spanish
• Helping People with Alzheimer's Disease Stay Physically Active (National Institute on Aging)
• Home Safety for People with Alzheimer's Disease: Home Safety Room by Room (National Institute on Aging)
• Home Safety for People with Alzheimer's Disease: Natural Disaster Safety (National Institute on Aging)
• How to Assemble a Caregiving Team (Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation)
• Keeping the Person with Alzheimer's Disease Safe (National Institute on Aging)
• Long-Distance Caregiving -- A Family Affair (National Institute on Aging)
• Long-Distance Caregiving -- Getting Started (National Institute on Aging)
• Managing Medicines for a Person with Alzheimer's (National Institute on Aging) - PDF
• Residential Care (Alzheimer's Association)
• Respite Care
• So Far Away: Twenty Questions for Long-Distance Caregivers (National Institute on Aging)
• Tips for Coping with Sundowning (National Institute on Aging) - PDF

Specifics

• Brushing: Information for Caregivers (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) - PDF
• Changes in Communication Skills (National Institute on Aging) - PDF Also in Spanish
• Dry Mouth and Older Adults: Information for Caregivers (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) - PDF
• Early-Stage Caregiving (Alzheimer's Association)
• End-of-Life Care (National Institute on Aging)
• Finding Low-Cost Dental Care: Information for Caregivers (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) - PDF
• Flossing: Information for Caregivers (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) - PDF
• Late-Stage Caregiving (Alzheimer's Association)
• Middle-State Caregiving (Alzheimer's Association)
• Sleep Issues and Sundowning (Alzheimer's Association)
• Urinary Incontinence in Older Adults (National Institute on Aging) - PDF
• Wandering and Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging) - PDF
• When a Person with Alzheimer's Rummages and Hides Things (National Institute on Aging)

Statistics and Research

• Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures (Alzheimer's Association)
• Caregiving for Alzheimer's Disease or Other Dementia (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: That mr. Alzheimer… you never know what he's up to, but...
• Article: Knowledge about Alzheimer's disease in the Brazilian population.
• Article: Supporting breast cancer screening decisions for caregivers of older women with...
• Alzheimer's Caregivers -- see more articles

Reference Desk

• Alzheimer's: Glossary (Alzheimer's Association)

Find an Expert

• AAAs (Area Agencies on Aging) & Title VI Aging Programs (National Association of Area Agencies on Aging)
• Alzheimer's Association
• Getting Help with Caregiving (National Institute on Aging)
• National Institute on Aging Also in Spanish

Finance and Policy

• Legal and Financial Planning for People with Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging) Also in Spanish
• Managing Money Problems in Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging)

Patient Handouts

• Bathing, Dressing, and Grooming: Alzheimer's Caregiving Tips (National Institute on Aging) - PDF Also in Spanish
• Changes in Communication Skills (National Institute on Aging) - PDF Also in Spanish
• Changes in Intimacy and Sexuality in Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging) - PDF Also in Spanish
• Coping with Agitation and Aggression (National Institute on Aging) - PDF
• End-of-Life Care (National Institute on Aging)
• Going to the Hospital: Tips for Dementia Caregivers (National Institute on Aging) - PDF
• Managing Medicines for a Person with Alzheimer's (National Institute on Aging) - PDF
• Managing Personality and Behavior Changes (National Institute on Aging) - PDF
• Urinary Incontinence in Older Adults (National Institute on Aging) - PDF
• Wandering and Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging) - PDF