Helping Dementia Caregivers

Caregiving for People with Alzheimer’s Disease

• Alzheimer's disease is the 7th leading cause of death (overall) in the United States and the 6th leading cause of death among adults 65 or older.
• As the number of people with Alzheimer's continues to grow, so will the need for caregivers.
• Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60%-80% of all dementia cases. Caregivers for those with other dementias can benefit from this information as well.

What Caregivers Need to Know

There are things you can do to cope with the challenges of caring for someone with Alzheimer's or another type of dementia.

What to know or do when caring for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia

1. The person you're caring for might not recognize you. This can be painful, but it is not personal.
2. Try to meet them where they are. This means not correcting the person about what year it is, where they are, or other things.
3. Having a routine is important for people with Alzheimer's or dementia.
4. Discuss behavioral changes with the doctor. Some behaviors, such as aggression, can be related to undertreated pain, or may be side effects of various medications.
5. Above all, practice self-care. Your loved one needs you to be healthy, both physically and mentally, to provide the best possible care.

Resources

There are programs available that can help enhance your skills as a caregiver of someone with Alzheimer's or dementia.

Dementia Dialogues is a program that:

• Teaches caregivers about the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's or dementia.
• Provides information about communication strategies.
• Offers creative ways to solve problems that caregivers may face.

Other programs are listed below. These can teach caregivers more about Alzheimer's and dementia, strategies for coping with caregiving, and how to improve quality of life for all involved.

• AARP Dementia Support
• Alzheimer's Association
• Family Caregiving Alliance
• National Institute on Aging