Taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s can be a demanding task that requires lots of time and energy. Even if you are in good health, it can be difficult, especially as the disease progresses. Many caregivers suffer health problems as a result of the extra demands placed on them.

Listen to your body as it will tell you when you are working too hard or feeling too much stress. If you begin to feel on edge, get upset or angry more easily than before or even get more colds than usual, it could be caregiver stress.

 

You will need a plan of care for the future that will meet your needs and that of your husband. An eldercare consultant has the ability to help you through the healthcare maze, connect you to community resources and support groups, they are able to assist with your care planning.

There may come a time when the disease progresses to the point where you can no longer provide appropriate care in your home. Your husband may need to move into an assisted living home or a long term care home that specializes in caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s. There are no rules to say when this may happen, but it is important to recognize that doing so may be for the best.

As your husband’s primary caregiver, you should not view such a move as a sign of failure but rather as a stage in the overall progression of the disease.