Too often, the needs of such caregivers go unappreciated or even unnoticed, says neurologist Jessica Zwerling. Relatives who care for Alzheimer’s patients face a much greater risk than others of suffering from stress, depression, loneliness, exhaustion, fear, and mental declines themselves, according to new research out of the University of California-Los Angeles.

 

But in an interview on Newsmax TV’s “Meet The Doctors” program, Dr. Zwerling notes that new research is helping baby boomers cope as caregivers with the failing memories of their elderly loved ones by identifying strategies that can provide comfort and support.

 

“Especially with the baby boomers aging, we are a bit of a sandwich generation and they are providing according to 2013 statistics over 17.8 billlion hours of care — that’s care provided by the family,” says Dr. Zwerling, director of Clinical Neurology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “It’s so key to recognize [impact on caregiver]. They often evaluate patients and it’s often that the caregiver that’s next to them are very stressed to them. The caregiver is at risk for heart attack or stroke …so they are often neglected and often retreat and are often have concomitant depression and are at risk for all these other diseases.”

 

 

She watched her grandmother with dementia for many years and was cared for by an uncle, who actually died seven years before her grandmother.

 

“so I really felt that from a personal perspective that it’s really important to address these caregiver needs,” she says.

 

Her research involves into strategies that help caregivers and, in her practice, she treats both dementia patients and their caregivers.

 

Scientific research, including Dr. Zwerling’s own work with about 500 patients and their caregivers, suggests the following strategies can help caregivers cope:

 

No. 1: Watch for signs of depression. Depression is very common in caregivers, and it can lead to a host of physical health problems. “The first thing is to recognize that this is very difficult situation that you’re providing a service to your loved ones … and to recognize signs of depression: irritability, anger, frustration, withdrawal,” Dr. Zwerling notes. “All those things can interfere with their daily work.”

 

No. 2: Get help. Don’t isolate or withdraw from friends or family members when it gets tough. A strong support network can help you cope. And if you feel like you’re suffering from depression or other health problems, seek help from a social worker or therapist. “That actually helps with the outcome of your loved one — making sure that you’re taken care of,” she says.

 

No. 3: Be alert to falls. With dementia, falls are very common, because of problems with brain function. Caregivers should not only be aware of this link for their loved ones, but also for themselves.

 

No. 4: Manage stress. Caring for a loved one can be stressful. Finding a way to manage stress — through meditation, yoga, or other relaxation techniques — has been proven to significantly reduce the stress and depression that typically strikes Alzheimer’s patient caregivers, according to recent research out of the University of California-Los Angeles.

 

No. 4: Don’t neglect your own health. Caregivers should strive to stay active and engage in healthy habits — getting regular exercise, eating a nutritious diet, and making sure to see a doctor regularly. “A healthy diet, [including] vitamin D is important,” she says. “Make sure that you go for your screenings …We always say that what is heart healthy is brain healthy, too.”

 

Dr. Zwerling’s No. 1 recommendation to caregivers: “Take care of yourself first,” she says.

 

She adds: “If you have questions about your loved one and you’re worried about their memory, bring them in for an evaluation.”