First, know that there are others around that are more than willing to help you out. These things can range from adult daycare to in-home assistance. You don’t have to do it all by yourself. Also, be sure to educate yourself. As Alzheimer’s progresses into the later stages, new skills will become necessary, and old skills will become more valuable. Make sure you’re prepared for this change.

It’s important to remember to not just take care of the patient, but to take care of yourself as well. Make sure you’re watching your diet and exercise, and that you’re getting plenty of sleep. Give yourself time to do things that you enjoy – maybe go out for a round of golf, or go shopping. Just find something that isn’t related to being a caregiver. It’s ok to do things for yourself once in a while.

Watch out for stress. Stress is the cause of more problems than people expect. The more stressed you are, the more likely you’re to become agitated, and the less likely you are to think clearly. Make sure you’re managing your stress properly. Maybe find something like yoga or meditation, or some other form of relaxation technique. The results you can get from following some techniques are profound.

Be willing to accept changes that may occur in the patient. Sometimes, something may happen, and you alone will not be enough to take care of the situation. That is ok. It’s ok for a caregiver to ask for help, and it should be readily available.

Make sure that all the legal and financial planning that can possibly be done is finished. If you haven’t already consulted an attorney, than consult one. Do whatever you possibly can, and it will free your mind.

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