As The Primary Care Giver for an Alzheimer?s Patient, How Can I Get a Break?

Taking care of a loved one who has Alzheimer's is a huge responsibility and very time consuming. It can bring a lot of stress, frustration and more. You devote all your time to your loved one and not have time for yourself anymore. You always wonder: when can I take a break from her? It is not an easy decision, but sometimes it has to be made for your own well being.

There are different options to consider. If your loved one is in early/mid stages of Alzheimer's you can consider private duty home care. Many agencies throughout the nation and in your community provide this service. A list of providers can be obtained in the phone book, from the local Alzheimer's Association, Area Agency on Aging, or any case management and referral source. The private duty home care can include services like bathing, sitting, taking to appointments, shopping, meal preparation and other day-to-day essentials. This assistance will definitely help you in getting more free time.

You might also try adult day care. The centers usually operate from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. It is a good environment for socialization. Your loved one will be able to interact with others, but she knows she will be back home for the night. If you decide to look for an adult day care, you will want to make sure the staff is experienced in caring for Alzheimer's patients.

Another solution is hiring an independent in-home care giver yourself. This person will take care of your loved one while you are away. You may be able to obtain names and information about experienced caregivers from places such as your church, Alzheimer's Association, Area Agency on Aging.

Make sure you check the references. Meet and talk with the prospective caregiver and see how the person interacts with your loved one. Touching is very important. It could be a pat on the back or gently rubbing the hand. You can even ask your loved one for input about the person. People with dementia are often perceptive and intuitive.

And don't forget! You have family members as well that can help you. A loved one who has Alzheimer's affects all family members. So if family members offer to help, take advantage of it.

Remember, help is available. Do not feel guilty because you want to take a break. You deserve it.

About The Author

William G. Hammond, JD is a nationally known elder law attorney and founder of The Alzheimer's Resource Center. He is a frequent guest on radio and television and has developed innovative solutions to guide families who have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's. For more information you can visit his website at www.BeatAlzheimers.com.

In The News:
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_10647514cid=1254804408ei=bDDqSJ6VHomE6QPxzIVCusg=AFQjCNGb42J9zDWAts_kFYQ-LUtGBFa3DQProposition 10 subsidizes balternative/b fuels/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fDaily Breeze,nbsp;CAnbsp;-/font nobr8 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-14 ballot initiative that authorizes a $5 billion bond to fund balternative/b energy development and provide rebates up to $50000 for buyers of vehicles that b.../b/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE4953XG20081006cid=1254804408ei=bDDqSJ6VHomE6QPxzIVCusg=AFQjCNGqlzjXDhxV9zKK9QKXmfLRe1ENogNatgas winter costs seen up 10 to 30 percent/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrReuters/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/natural-gas-utilities-winter-outlook/story.aspx%3Fguid%3D%257BC8828D5D-176D-4C45-9A33-91E5CFDE077D%257D%26dist%3Dhpprcid=1254804408ei=bDDqSJ6VHomE6QPxzIVCusg=AFQjCNHwydGVz0Gw2qKNc_dC1HCSC65cyQNatural Gas Utilities Winter Outlook: Customers Can Continue to b.../b/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrMarketWatch/nobr/font/fontbrfont class=p size=-1a class=p href=http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclientie=ISO-8859-1rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-22,GGLG:enncl=1254804408hl=ennobrall 9 news articles/nobr/a/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://blogs.nashvillescene.com/pitw/2008/10/alternative_presidential_candidates_spar_tonight_at_vanderbilt.phpcid=1254814748ei=bDDqSJ6VHomE6QPxzIVCusg=AFQjCNGfUHX3XQmqrdRbrs-JuDDEOpTR2QbAlternative/b Presidential Candidates Spar Tonight at Vanderbilt/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fNashville Scene,nbsp; USAnbsp;-/font nobr1 hour ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1We know these guys don#39;t even have pocket change to buy airtime or anything—is that really the sole determining factor in who gets taken seriously these b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_10631354cid=1254798217ei=bDDqSJ6VHomE6QPxzIVCusg=AFQjCNF6w-eoMm-6chof3M4L3MGXnVORNwFolding bikes: a transit balternative/b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fThe Argus,nbsp;CAnbsp;-/font nobr2 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1By Eve Mitchell IT#39;S NOT JUST the money she saves on gas that makes her folding bike appealing to Ellen Babcock on her BART ride to work in Oakland. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.patriotledger.com/news/x602772490/Cape-Cod-offers-rail-alternativecid=1254739243ei=bDDqSJ6VHomE6QPxzIVCusg=AFQjCNHfm3lWA9L9rqOzpUf2JYzYozC2CgCape Cod offers rail balternative/b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fThe Patriot Ledger,nbsp;MAnbsp;-/font nobr7 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1With escalating fuel prices, he said, “Why shouldn’t our region be a part of this balternative/b transportation option?” Kennedy said while the South Coast b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd width=80 align=center valign=topfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/investing/3144943/First-class-returns-for-alternative-investments.htmlcid=0ei=bDDqSJ6VHomE6QPxzIVCusg=AFQjCNHtNkf67CX5nQ8mDgrDfK6Lmh6aTAimg src=http://news.google.com/news?imgefp=jekzIuSmkWsJimgurl=www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01004/YM-stamps-land_1004540c.jpg width=80 height=50 alt= border=1brfont size=-2Telegraph.co.uk/font/a/font/tdtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/investing/3144943/First-class-returns-for-alternative-investments.htmlcid=0ei=bDDqSJ6VHomE6QPxzIVCusg=AFQjCNHtNkf67CX5nQ8mDgrDfK6Lmh6aTAFirst class returns for balternative/b investments/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fTelegraph.co.uk,nbsp;United Kingdomnbsp;-/font nobr3 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1The FTSE100 may have reached a four-year low but fine wine, art and stamps are holding their value – at least for now. By John Greenwood Three weeks after b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd width=80 align=center valign=topfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.heraldonline.com/433/story/859380-a860708-t3.htmlcid=1254762874ei=bDDqSJ6VHomE6QPxzIVCusg=AFQjCNEaRdSwUDoexvhqTjQFnbetxStoEAimg src=http://news.google.com/news?imgefp=vmPIyPHSxR0Jimgurl=media.heraldonline.com/smedia/2008/10/03/16/339Congress_Financial_Meltdown.sff.standalone.prod_affiliate.6.jpg width=80 height=43 alt= border=1brfont size=-2Rock Hill Herald/font/a/font/tdtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://readingeagle.com/blog.aspx%3Fbid%3D4%26id%3D17903%26t%3DFind-permanent-fix-for-alternative-taxcid=1254762874ei=bDDqSJ6VHomE6QPxzIVCusg=AFQjCNH3VjD_Ap0jZku1rG4rp1-m4fnVdgFind permanent fix for balternative/b tax/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fReading Eagle,nbsp;PAnbsp;-/font nobr22 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1The Issue: Congress again plays politics with a last-minute patch for the balternative/b minimum tax, which threatens 20 million taxpayers for whom it never b.../b/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D_sKb4wlXJ0Icid=1254762874ei=bDDqSJ6VHomE6QPxzIVCusg=AFQjCNFHpIZjFPXLiok1DMBaN4tJN1KbfgVideo: Dem Speaks On Bailout Bill/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrCBS/nobr/fontobject width=448 height=356param name=movie value=http://www.youtube.com/v/_sKb4wlXJ0I/paramparam name=wmode value=transparent/paramembed src=http://www.youtube.com/v/_sKb4wlXJ0Itype=application/x-shockwave-flashwmode=transparentwidth=448height=356/embed/objectbr/fontfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/nation/09/30/0930congtax.htmlcid=1254762874ei=bDDqSJ6VHomE6QPxzIVCusg=AFQjCNFpM2FcLFYLF-NzZ5QxO2aWcB6M5QHouse looks unlikely to pass tax package/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrAustin American-Statesman/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.finalternatives.com/node/5616cid=1254762874ei=bDDqSJ6VHomE6QPxzIVCusg=AFQjCNFas13e4cPmkVa_pioIaEeiU1TyDQHedge Fund Battle Threatens Tax Bill/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrFINalternatives/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1 class=pa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1846999,00.htmlcid=1254762874ei=bDDqSJ6VHomE6QPxzIVCusg=AFQjCNHaW16UbvRh5-WgTmmefuUpQQrZtAnobrTIME/nobr/anbsp;- a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE4906RO20081002cid=1254762874ei=bDDqSJ6VHomE6QPxzIVCusg=AFQjCNEQVq23a9-uneRP5tMyTl5HuiPcBwnobrReuters/nobr/a/fontbr/font class=p size=-1a class=p href=http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclientie=ISO-8859-1rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-22,GGLG:enncl=1254762874hl=ennobrall 652 news articles/nobr/a/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/commentary/hc-commentarymckinney1005.artoct05,0,6843619.storycid=1253796034ei=bDDqSJ6VHomE6QPxzIVCusg=AFQjCNHkkPAZqwLX-5E9eKSGSm03ptuZWQRell#39;s Cuts Only bAlternative/b To Ruinous Tax Increases/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fHartford Courant,nbsp;United Statesnbsp;-/font nobrOct 4, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1By JOHN MCKINNEY As our nation faces an unprecedented financial crisis that threatens to wipe out jobs, investments, businesses and retirement savings, b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/06/mono_two/cid=1254791746ei=bDDqSJ6VHomE6QPxzIVCusg=AFQjCNHxIpbMtzQY65g3mff0fwNvqSncCwMono delivers Foundaton-free open .NET balternative/b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fRegister,nbsp;UKnbsp;-/font nobr9 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1The open-source implementation of Microsoft#39;s .NET is due to hit its second release today, with many .NET 3.5 features and a few notable exceptions. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081001145030.htmcid=0ei=bDDqSJ6VHomE6QPxzIVCusg=AFQjCNHH1pABmbrefzSNCDqTAiJo1yshnQTelevision Viewing And Aggression: Some bAlternative/b Perspectives/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fScience Daily (press release)nbsp;-/font nobr11 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1ScienceDaily (Oct. 6, 2008) — Psychologists investigated the effect that exposure to violent TV programs has on negative behavior in children from different b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.courant.com/business/hc-atworkgreenjobs.artoct06,0,6097568.storycid=1254810861ei=bDDqSJ6VHomE6QPxzIVCusg=AFQjCNGAryEpRzMDUiGGjc5NBXS0mnCIPQ4.2 Million #39;Green#39; Jobs Possible/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fHartford Courant,nbsp;United Statesnbsp;-/font nobr5 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1However, the study cautioned, such job growth won#39;t be realized without an aggressive shift away from traditional fossil fuels toward balternative/b energy and b.../b/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.aer-online.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php%3Fcontent.2019cid=1254810861ei=bDDqSJ6VHomE6QPxzIVCusg=AFQjCNFujdyQnxUPqLpC4qkq_cC8vwUGxQNew Study Predicts Green Jobs Boom/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrAlternative Energy Retailer magazine/nobr/font/fontbrfont class=p size=-1a class=p href=http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclientie=ISO-8859-1rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-22,GGLG:enncl=1254810861hl=ennobrall 2 news articles/nobr/a/font/div/font/td/tr/table
alternative - Google News


Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

Watch Out for Alternative Medicine Charlatans!

Forget those CrystalsAs an integrative medical practitioner, I keep an... Read More

Naturopathy

Naturopathy is a holistic therapy that relies on natural remedies.... Read More

Treat Osteoporosis Naturally

Osteoporosis is a condition that faces every baby boomer; man... Read More

Your Home is a Toxic Waste Dump!

Did you know that the household and beauty products that... Read More

A Stitch In Time Saves Nine - Prevention not Cure

It is a sad fact that most people pay little... Read More

Pranic Therapy - Part I

Pranic Therapy Part I - An IntroductionPranic Therapy is an... Read More

More Sinus Headaches Home Remedies

One of the best sinus headaches home remedies, is called... Read More

Natural Remedy for Motion Sickness

Motion sickness is a normal response to real, perceived, or... Read More

Oral Chelation ? What Can It Do For You? (Part 2)

Intravenous chelation therapy was more popular than oral chelation initially.... Read More

Use Fresh Herbs In Your Cooking

Many common herbs that you might use in cooking are... Read More

Why You Should Use Fruits for Constipation

Fruits are made by nature and are a perfect food.... Read More

Skin Cancer Cured By Curaderm, The Revolutionary New Treatment for Skin Cancer

Curaderm is the most eagerly awaited cancer treatment solution in... Read More

Hypnotherapy in the Treatment of Phantom Pain

Much of what goes on in our bodies is controlled... Read More

Pendulum Dowsing: Easy To Learn Techniques

Pendulum Dowsing is a very fun and simple way to... Read More

An Introduction to Bach Flower Essences Part I ? The Twelve Healers

What are Bach Flower Essences?Pioneered by Dr. Edward Bach in... Read More

Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine is the oldest form of health care known... Read More

Ethical Guidelines For Hypnotherapy

The study of ethics concerns moral choices, generally in the... Read More

Complementary Medicine

Complementary Medicine is the use of natural therapy and medicines... Read More

Using Pain To Institute Change In Your Life!

Why do you do something that harms you? Why do... Read More

Herb Remedies

Herb remedies are made of natural substances that come from... Read More

How the Subconscious Reasons When It Communicates With You About Pain Relief

The subconscious is a strange creature. It doesn't know what... Read More

Evolution of Aromatherapy

The Origin of AromatherapySince the beginning ? from the time... Read More

Natural Alternatives vs. Prescription Drugs

Natural Alternatives: A growing phenomenon across this world which... Read More

Why Detoxify?

Have you been hearing about detoxification more often? That's because... Read More

Keeping Well When Monsoon Dwells

First showers of monsoon are heartily welcomed by everyone after... Read More