Request help with caregiving tasks from family, friends, neighbors and professionals, such as geriatric care managers, home care agencies or day-care programs. Lack of communication can be the source of stress and strain. Give yourself a break. Even the most dedicated worker needs an occasional rest, so give yourself a break, whether it's for an hour, overnight or for a week. Respite care can be obtained by having a friend or other member of the family give help or by enrolling the person with Alzheimers into a day-care program or paying an agency to provide companion services.
Some nursing homes offer overnight or week long respite services.
It is also important for the caregiver to eat right, exercise and get enough rest. If you do not take care of yourself, you'll not be able to care for someone else. Join a support group. Support groups allow members to share their feelings and concerns and provide emotional support to one another, with valuable suggestions and information often being exchanged. Groups are usually sponsored by hospitals, nursing homes, social service agencies and of organizations and are usually free.