Caring for Someone
About 15 million people care for a loved one with Alzheimer's in the United States. Knowing what to expect and preparing for the challenges, can help people with Alzheimer's live better with the disease and also stay in their homes longer.
Many caregivers find their role difficult and yet rewarding. Each person's and family's situation is unique, but having good information can help you be ready for the challenges each stage may bring.
Common Challenges and Coping Strategies
- The Alzheimer's Association provides an overview of possible communication challenges among people with the disease and tips that will help caregivers improve communication.
- The Family Caregiver Alliance has tips for communicating with a person with dementia.
- The Alzheimer's Association's "Communication" brochure includes best approaches to communicate with a person with dementia and how to help a person suffering from the disease to communicate. (PDF files require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader application for viewing.)
- WebMD offers tips on verbal and non-verbal ways of communicating with a loved one.
- AARP developed an online seminar to help determine how to assess a loved one's driving skills and provides tools to start a conversation on limiting or stopping driving.
- The Alzheimer's Association has advice on how to plan ahead and start the conversation on stopping driving.
- The Mayo Clinic provides a list of the warning signs of unsafe driving.
- The Alzheimer's Association has an overview of symptoms and treatment options of depression.
- The Mayo Clinic explains similarities between depression and Alzheimer's disease.
Difficult Behaviors (Agitation, Wandering, Paranoia)
- The Family Caregiving Alliance gives tips on how to handle behavior changes of a person who suffers from dementia.