Being a Caregiver for a Person with Dementia

Caring for someone with dementia is stressful. You might have different feelings as you take care of your loved one. These feelings are normal and might include:

• Worry: You may worry about the future and how you will cope with being a caregiver.

• Anger: You may feel angry that your loved one has dementia and there is no cure. Angry at other family members for not helping more.

• Lonely: It may seem like few people understand your problems.

• Tired: You may feel like you are not getting enough sleep. You may feel too tired to do all the things you want to do in a day.

• Sad: You may feel sad that your loved one has changed.

• Guilt: You may feel that you are not doing enough to help your loved one.
  

These feelings can make it hard for you to take care of your loved one and care for yourself. If you have any of these feelings, talk to your doctor. You are not alone.

Tools to Reduce Stress

Learn about dementia. Read books, attend workshops, or support groups. Look at online resources and talk to a doctor.

Allow yourself to feel sad. This is a major life change for you, your loved one, and your family.

Review or complete financial and legal documents. It helps to make these plans when your loved one can still help with the decisions.

Find things to do that you and your loved one enjoy.

Focus on what your loved one can still do, rather than what your loved one can no longer do.

Plan time off every week. Use the time to do something you enjoy.

Get Help

Few caregivers can handle it alone. Arrange for help as soon as you can. If you wait until you are very tired, you may find it hard to recover. Take care to prevent burnout.

If you want to provide direct care most of the time, let others help with simple tasks such as cooking, errands, or getting your car fixed.

Talk with other people about your needs and concerns so they can help. Think about going to a support group. Meeting other families who are also caring for a loved one with dementia can be very helpful.

Resources

To find out more about aging and living with disabilities, as well as caregiver resources, find your local:

Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). Find locations here: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/adrc/index.htm.

Studies show that support for caregivers increases well-being and helps to prevent illness. https://www.alzinfo.org/articles/alzheimers-research-on-caregiving/

The Alzheimer’s Association is a great source of information. Contact them at:
1-800-272-3900 or www.alz.org

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance of WI is a great resource. Contact them at:
1-888-308-6251 or www.alzwisc.org

Alzheimer’s Documentary Series (PBS)
https://www.pbs.org/show/dementia-documentary-series/