Help for the Caregiver. We are not experts and the suggestions below are simply things that we have learned from real professionals. Look for help...Its out there! 1. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF Taking care of a loved one with AD is a difficult and stressful job. Your responsiblilties as primary caregiver will probably increase as the disease progresses. It's not uncommon for someone to devote so much time and energy caring for others that they neglect their own health and needs. Try to keep doing the things that you love and enjoy for recreation. Keeping yourself healthy will help you deal with the decisions you will need to face. 2. FIND A SOURCE OF SUPPORT Some individuals can find lots of support within their own family, but if you are not so fortunate, help can be found in other places. There are thousands of people out there that have gone through what you are now going through. They can help you deal with the problems and emotions that will arise. Check with local church groups or contact a local or National Alzheimer organization. If you are computer friendly, there are thousands of pages on the Internet about Alzheimer's disease and how others have dealt with it. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! 3. EDUCATE YOURSELF AND PREPARE. Take the time to learn about the latest research and drugs that are available. By being knowledgable on the subject you will be able to ask your physician good questions and hopefully get beneficial answers.  Doctors are learning more about the disease every day! Start planning ahead! Prepare for the time when the AD patient will require 24 hour care in a Nursing facility.  Look for facilities near you that accept Alzheimer patients and check them out.  Constant care is expensive and you will want to seek professional advice about protecting your financial assests BEFORE that time comes. BEHAVIORIAL PROBLEMS As the Alzheimer patient progresses through the various stages of the disease, their memory and cognitive skills will diminish. Because of this several behavior problems may arise. COMMON SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE: Anxiety, yelling, screaming, abusive language, short attention span, sadness or depression, physical agression, wandering, repetitive actions, inappropriate sexual behavior and undressing. TRY TO FIND THE TRIGGER. Most people will deal with the behavior by simply trying to change it or stop it, without seeking the initial cause. Ask yourself what has changed? Are they in a new environment, alone or crowded? Try to remember that a person suffering from dementia will not see the world as you do. Their perception is limited by their loss of memory and cognitive skills. What their mind sees is not necessarily what their eye sees.  A black floor tile could be seen by them as a hole.  If  the Ad patient seems to be reverting to their childhood, it may be because they are living their lives in reverse.  If you can eliminate the trigger, you might eliminate the negative response.