About Alzheimer's Disease: Caregiving

Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease can have high physical, emotional, and financial costs. The demands of day-to-day care, changing family roles, and difficult decisions about placement in a care facility can be hard to handle. Researchers have learned much about Alzheimer’s caregiving, and studies are helping to develop new ways to support caregivers.

Becoming well-informed about the disease is one important long-term strategy. Programs that teach families about the various stages of Alzheimer’s and about flexible and practical strategies for dealing with difficult caregiving situations provide vital help to those who care for people with Alzheimer’s.

Developing good coping skills and a strong support network of family and friends also are important ways that caregivers can help themselves handle the stresses of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. For example, staying physically active provides physical and emotional benefits.

Some Alzheimer’s caregivers have found that participating in a support group is a critical lifeline. These support groups allow caregivers to find respite, express concerns, share experiences, get tips, and receive emotional comfort. Many organizations sponsor in-person and online support groups across the country. There are a growing number of groups for people in the early stage of Alzheimer’s and their families. Support networks can be especially valuable when caregivers face the difficult decision of whether and when to place a loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility.

For more information about at-home caregiving, see Caring for a Person with Alzheimer’s Disease: Your Easy-to-Use Guide from the National Institute on Aging.

Articles

Alzheimer's Disease and Disaster Preparedness

Alzheimer's Disease and Managing Finances

Helping Children Understand Alzheimer's Disease

Videos

View videos and other resources from THE ALZHEIMER'S PROJECT, a collaborative effort of the National Institute on Aging/NIH and HBO Documentary Films.

Resource Lists

The following Resource Lists contain books, booklets, fact sheets, DVDs, and other materials for caregivers.

• Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiving
• Alzheimer's Disease Information for Children and Teens
• Choosing Services and Long-Term Care for People with Alzheimer's Disease
• Coping with Emotions and Stress in Alzheimer’s Caregiving
• Intimacy, Sexuality, and Alzheimer’s Disease
• Legal and Financial Issues for People with Alzheimer’s Disease
• Managing Alzheimer’s Disease Communication and Behavior Problems