A solid relationship with the family or caregiver of a patient with Alzheimer’s disease is an essential component of providing effective treatment and care. Once a treatment plan is decided upon, it is the caregiver, or another close family member, who will be responsible for timely administration of the medication and for providing accurate updates on the patient’s condition and behavior.

Alzheimer's affects the entire family

In treating Alzheimer’s disease, it is common practice to include the caregiver and family. Alzheimer’s affects entire families, especially as the disease progresses and affected individuals become more dependent upon their primary caregivers. Caregivers often experience feelings of depression, anxiety, stress and helplessness that need to be assessed by a clinician. Some of these symptoms can be alleviated by appropriate treatment.

Measure caregiver stress

A novel approach to evaluating treatment efficacy in patients with Alzheimer’s disease is to measure caregiver burden and stress, which should decrease as a direct result of good patient care and treatment. A patient who is doing well under a specific treatment regime often requires less assistance and supervision from his or her caregiver, which allows more time for caregivers to care for themselves. A few assessment tools are available for caregivers, and several others are being studied.

Maintain a positive relationship

When working with patients, their caregivers and families, explain that improvements may take time to become apparent and can be defined more accurately as a stabilization of symptoms versus a reversal of cognitive decline. Maintaining a positive and open relationship with caregivers can help them anticipate what may lie ahead and plan realistically for the future. As a patient’s condition progresses, caregivers and families may have questions and may need additional support. Referrals to local chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association and other health care professionals may be helpful for families who need assistance while caring for their loved ones.

Making the most out of doctor visits

To help caregivers and patients make the most out of their doctor visits with you, refer them to the Alzheimer's Association's Partnering With Your Doctor workshop. It is designed for individuals with memory loss and their caregivers who want to learn strategies for improving their relationship and interactions with their physicians.

Participants learn how to prepare for a doctor's visit, what to expect, questions to ask and tips for follow-up visits. They will also learn how to use care logs to track changes in health, mood, memory and behaviors-information you need to help provide the best care and treatment for the individual. In addition, participants will learn how to use medication and appointment logs.

To download tip sheets for your patients and their caregivers, visit our Resources for Your Patients section.