The toll of Alzheimer's disease on caregivers

Nearly 16 million Americans care for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease. A new study provides a look at the toll the disease can take on those caregivers. Dr. Jon LaPook has more.

[jensmom]

My father had Alzheimer's. The last few months of his life he was in a nursing home. He needed a level of care I could not provide. As an only child, I had no backup. I felt like this man, that I was dying.

[MegaCaprice]

Poor man. He should have some financial help from the government. He is on the edge of a nervous breakdown and still working in his seventies!! My heart goes out to him. He needs help and support before he keels over, himself. Such an amazing husband as well.

[dimitylong]

What a great husband you are!!!💐 I care for my dad, he's 83 now and what a great example you are for many of us to continue to care and love our helpless family members🌺🌹🌷

[Storyblock-gh]

Alzheimers setbacks are turning into victories with igrotum. Grateful for the positive changes in daily life and mental well-being.

[yvonne.stewart]

You are a amazing husband and took your vows to heart. So caring and loving. I know how it feels to be a care taker and yes it takes a toll on your body physically and mentally. Please try and take care of yourself by at least getting so many hours for yourself. Not easy but very much needed.

[DiegoHernandez-bi]

He is the prime example of a caring husband . Till the end do us part ❤

[dajwe]

The husband is a Saint for taking care of his Alzheimer’s ridden wife the way he is!

[dadsc]

this is all so true, i moved home to take care of my mom after this diagnosis, as it progressed, the stress on me got so much worse, i could only leave her for short periods, total care, and also learned how to be a hairdresser, dressing, washing, everything, but we did it together and i would not put her in a nursing home, my physical and mental health has become so bad, i lost her in september of 2020, the sadness and depression continues, but i would do it all over again, no regrets, you have one mother one father one wife or husband, one word, Love, R I P mom i love you xo

[destroygaryfunky]

What caregivers need to understand is that they are not abandoning their loved insidious disease has taken away their loved one already. There needs to be better support for caregivers. An understanding that placing the Alzheimer's patient in a facility may be the only way to save the caregiver. This disease causes untold sadness.

[lndsyg]

As a caregiver in a nursing home I feel for these families 🥺 and I do my absolute best that their loved one is being well taken care of when they are with me 💞

[robbiejsemperfi]

I recently moved my mom in with me because of this disease. I'm in tears watching this video. I need help. As the oldest son, it's my responsibility. I haven't had my house to myself in years, and I feel trapped. I'm 40 years old, little to no help from siblings. It really hit me hard this morning. She's only 64, so I have another year before she gets on Medicare. Then what? She may live with this for years. Do I put her in a nursing home? Do I just sacrifice what's left of my middle age? I just can't keep up. Just keeping track of her meds is a full-time job, and she blames me for having to take them. I want my life back, but I can't abandon my mother. It's the biggest dilemma of my life and it's killing me. I just want to disappear for a while.

[ninasandersson]

It is so sad. Here in Sweden healthcare is free. No one should go bancrupt when they are sick.

[christinaculver]

I took care of both my grandparents before they passed. My grandmother had dementia and probably alzheimer’s but she would not go to that appointment. It was really hard because I was sick at the time and couldn’t get the daughters to come help much. It’s so important to get relief from a relative or friend because it can feel overwhelming with no help.

[pmcpmc]

My grandfather died of this disease. It took a heavy toll on my 88 year old grandmother.

[oscardaone]

I’m taking care of my mother. She has Alzheimer’s and it’s already taken a toll on my. I only managed to get help from a another caretaker for one day. Lucky we have her insurance to cover everything but, now my own health is at risk. I’ve been the sole caregiver for her. All that weight and pressure can eventually get to you. Please don’t carry all the burden. I strongly recommend taking turns when taking care of a loved one.

[yung_Latios]

Can feel this man's pain. It sucks. I was a caregiver for my dad but I had to work and take care of him at the same time. I had no help. My family pretended to care but they were never there when I needed them. I lived with my dad so when I came home from work, I couldn't even go to sleep. My dad had all of the lights on including the tv. I left it on all night otherwise he would start going insane. It was hell, not to mention he left the stove on, could never get him to want to shower and would always wander off. It was too much for me. I couldn't look after him with no help. He's in a nursing home now. I'm so busy with work that I can only see him once a week. Absolute horrid disease. I feel so bad for him. He was the strongest man I knew but alzheimer's took it all away from him.

[schawnettarobinson]

He is such a great husband. I want a husband as such. He really loves her.

[tinaw.]

Hardest thing I've ever done for a parent but now that shes gone to heaven I'm lost, my life was all her 🙏

[Loveroffood]

As a CNA I understand what this guy is dealing with and having to take care of someone with Alzheimer's you have times where the patient or resident if they're in a facility Well one minute be the sweetest most loving person next minute want to beat the crap out of you and it can be scary sometimes.

[marialehew]

It's sad that the cost of care for dementia patients is triple that of any normal person going into a elderly home. It makes it nearly impossible for loved ones to get the help they do desperately need. I work in healthcare and work with dementia patients and it's heartbreaking. So many of their loved ones give up. It breaks my heart.