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| Hello and welcome |
| Thank you for joining our 3-day series on caregiving for Alzheimer's disease. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's can be overwhelming and frightening. Please know that you're not alone on this journey, and we're here to support you every step of the way. |
| What is Alzheimer's disease? |
Alzheimer's is a progressive brain disorder that slowly affects memory and thinking skills. It's the most common form of dementia, touching the lives of millions of families worldwide. In the United States, Alzheimer's disease affects 5% of people ages 65 to 74, 13.1% of those between 75 and 84, and 33.3% of people 85 and older.
It doesn't only affect older people. Early onset Alzheimer's disease begins to cause symptoms when people are in their 40s and 50s.
Here's what happens in the brain of someone with Alzheimer's: |
| • | Abnormal proteins form "plaques" and "tangles" in the brain. | |
| • | Connections between brain cells are lost. | |
| • | Brain cells eventually die. | |
| • | The brain shrinks significantly over time. | |
| It can be heartbreaking to witness these changes in someone you love. The symptoms that result from these brain changes can be challenging for both your loved one and you as a caregiver. |
| Why does someone with Alzheimer's need a caregiver? |
| As Alzheimer's progresses, it affects nearly every aspect of a person's life. Your loved one may experience: |
| • | Memory loss: Forgetting recently learned information, important dates, or events. | |
| • | Difficulty with familiar tasks: Struggling with daily activities like cooking or managing finances. | |
| • | Confusion with time or place: Losing track of dates, seasons, or the passage of time. | |
| • | Vision problems: Difficulty reading or judging distance. | |
| • | Language issues: Struggling to follow or join a conversation. | |
| • | Misplacing things: Putting things in unusual places and being unable to retrace steps. | |
| • | Poor judgment: Problems with decision-making, especially with money. | |
| • | Withdrawal from social activities: Removing themselves from hobbies, work projects, or social engagements. | |
| • | Changes in mood and personality: Becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious. | |
| As a caregiver, your role is to provide support, ensure safety, and help maintain quality of life as these symptoms progress. |
| What to expect as a caregiver |
Alzheimer's typically progresses through three main stages. Remember, everyone's journey with Alzheimer's is unique. Your loved one may not fit neatly into these stages, and that's OK. We're here to support you, whatever your journey looks like.
Becoming a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer's can be a significant responsibility. You may find yourself: |
| • | assisting with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating | |
| • | managing medications and doctor's appointments | |
| • | ensuring a safe living environment | |
| • | providing emotional support | |
| • | making important health and financial decisions | |
| It's natural to feel overwhelmed at times. Many caregivers experience a range of emotions, from love and compassion to frustration and sadness. Recent research from the Alzheimer's Association reports that: |
| • | 59% of family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's rate the emotional stress of caregiving as high or very high. | |
| • | Dementia caregivers are more likely to experience depression and anxiety than noncaregivers. | |
| • | Many caregivers feel they had no choice in taking on the caregiving role. | |
| These feelings are normal and valid. Remember, you're doing incredibly important work, and it's OK to have moments of doubt or difficulty. |
| Looking ahead |
| In the coming days, we'll explore practical caregiving strategies and ways to take care of yourself during this journey. For now, be gentle with yourself as you navigate this new role. You're not expected to have all the answers right away. |
With care and understanding,
The Healthline Team |
| P.S. If you're looking for immediate support, click here to download our guide to medications that may worsen symptoms. It could be a helpful resource as you start out with your loved one's care. |
