Alzheimer's Disease: A "Family" Disease

Alzheimer's disease has often been referred to as a "family disease," because while one person may be affected, Alzheimer's disease touches the lives of family, friends, and the community. The care required for a person with Alzheimer's disease can demand new levels of time, attention, and energy. Learning that a person has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease can be overwhelming at first, and many spouses, children, and grandchildren find themselves providing daily care to help a person with Alzheimer's disease, sometimes for many years.

With an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis comes gradual, then increasing change. For example, Alzheimer's caregivers may find they need to adapt to new schedules and take on new roles. They may also need to change their own behavior to help support and care for a person with Alzheimer's disease. Adapting to these changes is not easy, and requires a great deal of understanding, flexibility, and patience.

If you are feeling overwhelmed and frustrated by the pressures brought on by your role as an Alzheimer's caregiver, you are not alone. These are very common feelings. But, taking care of yourself can help you maintain your quality of life as you strive to provide the best care for a person with Alzheimer's disease.

Additionally, having all of the Alzheimer's support information you need to make difficult choices about the future can help you feel more confident about the decisions you will have to make. ²²