Caregiving & Alzheimer’s Disease
It can be overwhelming to take care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.
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Transcript
DR. RODGERS: It can be overwhelming to take care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.
Hi, I’m Dr. Griffin Rodgers, Director of the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases at NIH.
My colleague, Dr. Richard Hodes, Director of the National Institute on Aging at NIH, explains.
DR. HODES: Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease can be rewarding. But it can also have high physical, emotional, and financial costs. The demands of day-to-day care, changes in family roles, and health care decisions can be difficult.
Caregivers may feel that they don’t know how to care for a person with Alzheimer’s. There are programs to teach families about the various stages of the disease, and ways to deal with difficult behaviors and caregiving challenges.
Having a strong support network can help. Joining a caregiver group can provide caregivers with some relief, a way to share experiences, get tips, and receive emotional support.
DR. RODGERS: For more information on Alzheimer’s disease, visit nia.nih.gov/alzheimers and follow us @NIDDKgov.