How to deal with a family member with dementia

Nearly 16 million family members care for a loved one who is living with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia. Providing care to someone you love can be deeply rewarding, meaningful and intimate work.

It’s also extraordinarily challenging, requiring you to draw on immense patience and emotional reserves.

Grieving a parent with dementia

Caregiving can trigger old resentments, stir up family conflict and leave caregivers feeling isolated. 

You might grieve for the parent you had (or the parent you never had and now never will), worry about the future or struggle with guilt.

You may feel you can never do enough. Conservative estimates suggest that caregiver depression is twice the rate of depression in the general population. The chronic stress created by the demands of caregiving can also increase your risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. 

Your well-being matters, too.

You deserve pleasure, time to yourself and a chance to pursue your own dreams. These needs are not selfish — they’re vital to your ability to be a good caregiver. 

Dementia can change your parent’s bra

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what to do with dementia parent