Things Caregivers Should Know About Alzheimer’s Risks

Stepping in to not just support a loved one emotionally, but in offering direct assistance in their daily lives when illness becomes a factor, is giving care. Such caregivers shoulder a wide variety of burdens, and often go unsung by those who stand by the situation. When the illness is a cognitive disease, such as Alzheimer’s, it becomes particularly true that often even the very person they’re caring for might not recognize or appreciate the help.

Caring for someone in cognitive decline is more than dealing with obviously messy or physically uncomfortable situations, such as assisting with bathroom or other private matters. Alzheimer’s patients often undergo personality or behavioral shifts. They lose some or all of their ability to safeguard themselves from routine situations such as those that might involve a street, stairwells, or even basic cooking or shaving.

It is entirely common for long term caregivers to begin to suffer emotional and mental effects. Beyond the mere stress and demands of the giving of care, serious effects such as depression, clinical anxiety, and other mental disorders have been diagnosed by psychologists who work with caregivers. And there can even be physical impacts, as the physiological stress runs down their bodies, impacting the immune system and making them more susceptible to infirmity.

Are you experiencing Caregiver Stress?
Are you having trouble falling asleep?
Are you feeling isolated?
Are you angry, sad or experiencing feelings of despair?
How is your appetite?
Are you using drugs or alcohol to cope with your stress?

Giving care is an expression of love, but caregivers should not forget to also care for themselves as well.