When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, it affects caregivers on so many different levels and few are prepared. The more caregivers care for themselves, the better they can care for loved ones. Here are a few tips from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America:

• Get information about the illness – read books, surf the web, attend seminars, etc.
• Stick to routines.  Changes in schedule or surroundings can cause confusion for your loved one and make things more difficult.
• Share caregiving tasks with others.
• Take time for respite for yourself – do something to make you feel good, even if it’s just 5 minutes a day.
• Take care of your own health.
• Join a caregiver support group, talk to a professional or discuss concerns with your family and friends.

For resources on Alzheimer’s Disease, please check out websites for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America http://www.alzfdn.org/ and the Alzheimer’s Association http://www.alz.com/. For additional resources, Phil McCallion, Ph.D. and Lisa Ferretti, LMSW, from the Center for Excellence in Aging Services, SUNY Albany, assembled a website for Alzheimer’s Disease Resources.  The web address is:  http://www.albany.edu/aging/resources/. For you and your loved ones, please remember to take good care of yourself.