How Caregiving for a Person
with Dementia Affects You

contributed by

Caring for anyone who has dementia is very demanding and tiring. Caring for someone who has been important in your life may be very painful, as you watch her or him become less and less the person you knew. Sadness, confusion, anger, and frustration can be some of the common reactions family members have when caring for their relative. These feelings are very normal, but can make the caregiving job more stressful.

You do not stop being who you are because your family member is sick. You may still be a spouse, parent, friend, or relative to other people who have expectations of you and you of them, in spite of the demands of caregiving. This fact means there are lots of places for misunderstanding, miscommunication, conflict, and hurt feelings.

But…

There are ways to take care of yourself as you are taking care of your family member. We will help you learn those things. The intention of our research program for caregivers is to teach you, the primary caregiver, a set of skills or "tools" for coping with caregiving. This will enable you to feel more "in control" of your everyday life.

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