Learn about the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, as well as tips for coping with the diagnosis, as caregivers recall the pivotal moments after learning their loved one's diagnosis. Kate, Caregiver for Husband, 1 Year, Texas: I remember I was driving to work when they gave me the diagnosis, and I [...]

Learn about the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, as well as tips for coping with the diagnosis. Claudia, Caregiver for Mother, 12 Years, Texas: My mother is so good at hiding things, and not so much hiding things as she didn't want people to know that she was having problems, so [...]

Insights and advice from those who have walked in similar shoes. Joanne, Caregiver for Husband, 5 years, California: The best suggestion that I could give to any caregiver is first of all, know about Alzheimer’s and what it involves because it’s not easy and it doesn’t get better… Wayne, Caregiver for Mother, [...]

Communication tactics to help you connect with your loved one. Judith, Caregiver for Mother, 4 Years, Texas: That mind goes into a locked closet and they can't get out.  They can't see the way out to the door, not the keyhole, whatever you want to call it.  It's darkness for them. Claudia, [...]

Hear how others have learned to adjust their daily lives after becoming Alzheimer's disease caregivers. Almost 15 million Americans (family members and friends) provide unpaid care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia. Laura, Caregiver for Mother, 8 Years, California: You kinda just have to roll with it, you have [...]

Caregivers share different ways they've discovered to stay close with their loved one. Laura, Caregiver for Mother, 8 Years, California: Sometimes she thinks I’m her mom, and sometimes she knows who I am but she can’t place my  name so we’ve got a new game plan to not remind her about names [...]

Different approaches for discussing Alzheimer's disease with your loved one. Claudia, Caregiver for Mother, 12 Years, Texas: She would ask me from time to time, she'd say, "What's wrong with me?  I feel like I'm losing my mind.  What's wrong with me?” It is estimated 5.4 million people in the United States [...]

How to live in the moment with Alzheimer's disease. Judith, Caregiver for Mother, 4 Years, Texas: I always try to give her something to hold on to for that moment, because in that moment is all that matters because five minutes from now, she's going to forget I was even there. Laura, [...]

Ways to get yourself ready for the road ahead as a new caregiver. Alice, Caregiver for Sister, 1 Year, Pennsylvania: You have to think of planning of how this person's going to eat, who's going to sit, watch the person, making sure that they get their medication, things of that.  So I know [...]

Caregivers share their feelings and recommendations about deciding on long-term care options. Judith, Caregiver for Mother, 4 Years, Texas: I think my most difficult conversation would be telling my mom why she had to be in the nursing home versus staying home with me, because she knows I have a room for [...]