Alzheimer’s Association offers guidance to the 369,000 Alzheimer’s caregivers in North Carolina
During National Family Caregivers and National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month in November, the Alzheimer’s Association’s Eastern North Carolina Chapter and Western Carolina Chapter are highlighting the unique challenges facing Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers and urging caregivers to take care of their own health. Currently, there are more than 369,000 caregivers in North Carolina providing care to more than 180,000 living with Alzheimer’s.
Caring for those living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia poses special challenges for family caregivers. As dementia symptoms worsen, caregivers can experience increased emotional stress, depression, anxiety, and new or worsened health problems. Caregivers often experience depleted finances due to disruptions in employment and paying for health care or other services.
“Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s takes longer, lasts longer, is more personal and intrusive than most other diseases, and takes a heavy toll on the health of the caregivers themselves. During the course of the disease, caregiving tasks escalate and become more intensive. Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers are often managing multiple conditions, including memory loss, comorbidities, loss of mobility, reduced communication skills and behavioral and personality changes.”
Katherine L. Lambert, Regional Leader for GA, NC & SC and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association – Western Carolina Chapter
Across the country, 59% of dementia caregivers report high to very high emotional stress due to caregiving and 38% report high to very high physical stress due to caregiving. Seventy-four percent of dementia caregivers report they are “somewhat concerned” to “very concerned” about maintaining their own health since becoming a caregiver. In North Carolina, 18.1% report frequent poor physical health.
To help caregivers balance competing priorities while maintaining their overall health and well-being, the Alzheimer’s Association offers these tips:
- Find time for yourself. It’s normal to need a break from caregiving duties. No one can do it all by themselves. Consider taking advantage of respite care or help from family and friends to spend time doing something you enjoy.
- Become an educated caregiver. Understand the disease, its progression and accompanying behavioral and physical changes. Know resources in your community that can help.
- Build a support network. Organize friends and family who want to help provide care and support. Access local caregiver support groups or online communities, such as ALZConnected, to connect with other caregivers. If stress becomes overwhelming, seek professional help.
- Take care of yourself. Try to eat well, exercise and get plenty of rest. Making sure that you are healthy can help you be a better caregiver.
- Avoid caregiver burnout. Sustained caregiver stress can lead to caregiver burnout – a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion. The Alzheimer’s Association offers Caregiver Stress Check to help caregivers identify and avoid caregiver burnout.
- Accept changes. Eventually your loved one will need more intensive kinds of care. Research care options now so you are ready for the changes as they occur.
- Know you’re doing your best. It’s normal to lose patience or feel like your care may fall short sometimes. You’re doing the best you can. For support and encouragement, consider joining an online or in-person support group.
“As difficult as it may be, caregivers need to make their health and well-being an equal priority,” said Lambert. “Maintaining your health can help you be a better caregiver. No caregiver should face this disease alone. The Alzheimer’s Association is here to help.”
To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and for support families and people living with the disease, visit alz.org/honor.
As part of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month, the Alzheimer’s Association’s Chapters in North Carolina are offering free education programs and support groups to help all North Carolina caregivers and their families.
Featured programs throughout North Carolina include:
- Community Forum & Caregiver Event (November 2 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Fayetteville) – The first ever Tri-County Dementia Partnership Caregiver Event. The partnership was formed to bring needed dementia and Alzheimer’s resources to the Cumberland, Harnett and Hoke Counties and their surrounding communities. This event is an opportunity for caregivers to attend and fellowship with other caregivers while also collecting resources and learning activities to do with their loved ones living with dementia. All registrations include lunch, access to vendors, participation in art activity and a thank you gift.
- Healthy Families, Healthy Communities (November 11 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Charlotte) – Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming. As a caregiver, you may find yourself with so many responsibilities that you neglect taking good care of yourself. The Alzheimer’s Association and the Frankie Mae Foundation are hosting an all-day forum for caregivers and their communities dedicated to learning tips and strategies for healthy living. In addition to workshops being offered, attendees will be able to connect with local resource exhibits and visit a caregiver shop. There will also be a kids corner with games and crafts for kids in attendance.
- Caregiving During the Holidays – For many caregivers the holiday season gives rise to stress, frustration and anger, instead of peace and goodwill. This program is designed to teach caregivers to care for themselves, their loved ones, and about holiday safety all while giving suggestions that may make the holidays more enjoyable for you and your loved ones.
- Caregiver Appreciation Spa Day (November 6 | 12-2 p.m. | Kings Mountain) – The Alzheimer‘s Association is presenting Caregiving During the Holidays and serving lunch while Visiting Angels is supplying gifts. Spa time includes massages, aromatherapy and hand and nail treatments after the program and lunch.
- Communication Challenges (November 16 | 6-7 p.m. | virtual) – Communication challenges often arise between the primary caregiver, the spouse or partner, adult children and long distance caregivers. During this program, learn the communication changes that take place throughout the course of Alzheimer’s disease, how to decode and respond to the verbal and behavioral messages delivered by someone with dementia, and strategies to connect and communicate with your loved one and among family.
For a complete list or to register for upcoming programs, visit, call 800-272-3900 or visit:
Western Carolina Chapter: act.alz.org/ncmonthlyprograms
Eastern North Carolina Chapter: act.alz.org/encmonthlyprograms
The Alzheimer’s Association also provides a 24-7 Helpline staffed by master’s level clinicians and specialists who are available 365 days a year and can help families navigate a variety of disease-related issues. Call 800-272-3900.
Alzheimer's Association North Carolina Blog 
Caregivers need so much love and care as they walk with their loved ones through Alzheimer’s Disease! I know this because I walked this journey with my Mother! After her death, I wrote her story, my story, our story and published what turned out to be an Award Winning book….Joy In The Journey, Walking With Grit and Grace through Alzheimer’s. My book has been an inspiration and a guide for oh so many Caregivers! It has been a lifeline given to their lives as they have tried so hard to give their loved ones the dignity and peace they deserve. It will always be my legacy of love for my Mother that I will leave for generations to come!
I commend the Alzheimer’s Association in their efforts to provide much needed help to Caregivers!!
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