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Caregiving

What is a caregiver?

Caregivers are people who take care of other adults, most often parents or spouses, who are ill or disabled. The people who receive care usually need help with basic daily tasks. Caregivers help with many things such as:

  • Grocery shopping


  • House cleaning


  • Cooking


  • Shopping


  • Paying bills


  • Giving medicine


  • Toileting


  • Bathing


  • Dressing


  • Eating

Usually caregivers take care of elderly people. Less often, caregivers are grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. The terms informal caregiver and family caregiver refer to people who are not paid to provide care. As the American population ages, the number of caregivers and the demands placed on them will grow.




Next: Who are our nation's caregivers? »

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Alzheimer's Disease Patient Caregiver Guide »

Tips for Caregivers of a Person with Alzheimer's Disease

Caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease (AD) at home is a difficult task and can become overwhelming at times. Each day brings new challenges as the caregiver copes with changing levels of ability and new patterns of behavior. Research has shown that caregivers themselves often are at increased risk for depression and illness, especially if they do not receive adequate support from family, friends, and the community.

One of the biggest struggles caregivers face is dealing with the difficult behaviors of the person they are caring for. Dressing, bathing, eating - basic activities of daily living - often become difficult to manage for both the person with Alzheimer's disease and the caregiver. Having a plan for getting through the day can help caregivers cope. Many caregivers have found it helpful to use strategies for dealing with difficult behaviors and stressful situations. Through...

Read the Alzheimer's Disease Patient Caregiver Guide article »




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