Completely eliminating stress

when caring for a spouse, parent or close relative with Alzheimer's disease

is usually not an option, but the following tips can help reduce it:

Learn what to expect.

Caregivers need to take time to learn how the disease may affect behavior.

For example, managing your irritation may be easier if you understand

your husband can't remember where the soup pot goes or how to unload the

dishwasher because of the memory loss associated with his disease -

not because he doesn't care or want to bother learning where things belong.

Seek help from family and

friends. Though it may sound awkward or formal, according to the Alzheimer's

Association, many caregivers find that holding a family meeting helps.

It's important that family and friends understand what a caregiver is

going through daily and chip in to help give the primary caregiver a much-needed

break.

Consider care outside the

home. An occasional free evening-thanks to another family member filling

in-may not be enough. Caregivers and the one they care for may benefit

from structured activity, such as afternoons spent at a local senior or

adult daycare center. Caregivers report feeling tremendously re-energized

after having some time to themselves.

Learn about treatment options.

Caregivers should understand about treatments that may help temporarily

alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. There's currently no cure or

medication available that can reverse or stop the disease's progression.

However, research has shown that some medicines can slow the worsening

of symptoms-allowing those with Alzheimer's disease, and their friends

and families, to make the most of every day.

In fact, recent study findings

indicate long-term treatment with the medication Reminyl (galantamine)

may slow the progression of symptoms in the disease's mild to moderate

stages.

"The results of this study-the

largest, long-term one of its kind-shows us that people who took Reminyl

faithfully for four years were able to slow down the course of their decline

by 50 to 60 percent," explained Dr. Stephen Aronson, geriatric psychiatrist

and clinical assistant professor, University of Michigan Medical School.

"This suggests benefits from getting on treatment early and staying

on it."

Reminyl is used for the treatment

of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer's type. The most common

side effects reported in patients taking Reminyl included nausea, vomiting,

diarrhea, anorexia and weight loss. Most were mild and temporary. For

complete product information, visit www.reminyl.com.

Don't neglect your physical

health. Taking care of yourself physically - by eating well-balanced

meals, exercising and getting plenty of rest - will also help alleviate

stress.

Access resources. To

learn more about caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease, visit www.sharingcare.com,

an online information and support resource for caregivers, individuals

concerned about Alzheimer's disease and health care professionals. The

Sharing Care Web site is hosted by the manufacturer of Reminyl, the newest,

fastest-growing prescription Alzheimer's treatment. Helpful tips for caregivers

are also available on the Alzheimer's Association Web site at www.alz.org.

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