Caregivers are critical to the continued well-being of Alzheimer’s patients. In this video, Dr. Gayatri Devi, board-certified neurologist and author of The Spectrum of Hope: An Optimistic and New Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease, explains the difficulties caregivers face and why it is crucial for them to take care of themselves first and not feel guilty about it. Caring for an Alzheimer’s patient is a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week job. Women in the caregiver role are more likely to become depressed and isolated…men are more likely to search for outside help. One thing that caregivers need to understand is that their own health is at significant risk as a result of their role. It is crucial that they take care of their own health first so that they can continue to be a source of help and comfort for the Alzheimer’s patient. Finally, it is natural for caregivers to experience anger and other negative emotions, but they should try to be constructive when expressing these emotions and never simply take them out on the patient.

To learn more from Dr. Devi, visit her website or purchase her latest book, The Spectrum of Hope: An Optimistic and New Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease.

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