Ronald Reagan's Daughter Patti Davis Discusses Alzheimer's Disease
Caregivers hold the weight of their world on their shoulders
Mr. Donham is typical of the type of people that Patti Davis wants to help. Researchers have found that the immune system can be weakened by stress and stain for up to three years after caregiving ends. Caregivers are susceptible to serious illnesses and mental breakdowns.
The strains on caregivers are becoming more widely recognized and new efforts to help them are springing up. Teamwork, talking, sharing and caring can go a long way to help caregivers survive the difficulties of caring for an Alzheimer’s patient full time.
Symptoms of burnout are hard for outsiders as well as caregivers to recognize. Watch for weight gain or loss, difficult sleep patterns, daily habits that go by the wayside and clinical depression.
