Caring for a Loved One With Alzheimer's Disease is a Challenge for Many Today

Thursday, November 21, 2002

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Alzheimer's disease affects more than four million older Americans. As more people are living into their 80s and 90s, the number of those affected is expected to triple in the next 20 years. Alzheimer's causes a steady decline in memory and mental abilities and usually develops in individuals age 65 or older. Signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's are gradual and may include persistent forgetfulness, difficulty finding the right word or performing familiar tasks and loss of judgment.

One of the biggest challenges of Alzheimer's is for the people who are living with or caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's. MayoClinic.com's Alzheimer's Disease Center can help. You can locate the Alzheimer's Disease Center from MayoClinic.com's main navigation bar. In the center, you'll find timely information about Alzheimer's disease, treatment options and tips for caregivers. You'll read personal stories and have access to interactive tools to help you better manage health concerns relating to Alzheimer's disease.

"It's important that caregivers don't try to deny the grief that they may feel," said Glenn Smith, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. "To work through that grief is an important part of the growth a person can experience while in the caregiver role." He adds that caring for someone who is ill can actually be a positive experience for the caregiver who can benefit from the good feelings of helping a loved one in need.

However, he cautions that caring for someone with Alzheimer's can be all absorbing. The physical demands and the emotional stress of trying to balance caregiving with work, family and other relationships can be overwhelming. Anger, guilt, frustration, discouragement, worry, grief and social isolation may surface, along with feelings of being taken for granted. The Alzheimer's Condition Center provides tips for caregivers on balancing your needs with those of your loved one with Alzheimer's.

As other issues arise, MayoClinic.com's Alzheimer's Center can serve as a reference point, keeping you up-to-date on the disease with e-mail notices of the latest information. You'll also find practical suggestions, such as what to do when driving becomes an issue for your loved one with Alzheimer's disease, or when and how to tell your loved one about his/her condition.

MayoClinic.com is a source of reliable health information on topics from cancer to quitting smoking, healthy traveling and first aid. This site is produced as part of Mayo's commitment to serve as a dependable source of health information for the public.

###

Carol Lammers
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511(evenings)
email:newsbureau@mayo.edu

###

To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to www.mayoclinic.org/news. MayoClinic.com is available as a resource for your health stories.