Taking care of a family member who is diagnosed with dementia can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Overwhelmed with the responsibilities of caring for the person, caregivers often neglect their own physical and emotional health. It is important for caregivers to pay attention to their own needs, or risk becoming exhausted or ill.

• Keep your appointments with your physician, dentist, counselor, etc.
• Taking care of someone with a chronic illness involves physical and emotional efforts over a long period of time. Remember that caregiving is stressful and that it will take its toll on you if you don’t take care for yourself.
• Try to maintain your outside interests and activities.
• Exercise!
• Ask a friend, neighbor, or family member to stay with the patient while you go for a walk.
• An exercise bike can provide you with a physical outlet. Try to encourage your patient to ride it as well; this may reduce pacing or wandering.
• Rest when the patient rests, or do something special for yourself.
• Get out of the house for a period of time each day.
• Have someone sleep over occasionally who is willing to take care of the patient so that you can get an uninterrupted night’s sleep.
• Try to keep realistic expectations for yourself, the patient, and others.
• Try to avoid feeling guilty. Remember that you have nothing to do with your loved one's rate of deterioration.
• Don't isolate yourself. Keep in touch with friends. You may have to call them. People may hesitate to call you, not wanting to intrude or interrupt at a bad time.
• Ask for help. Often friends and relatives need some direction from you on how they can help with your patient's care, with household chores, or errands. Try not to rely on only one source of support. Make a "To Do List" and let them choose.
• Don't feel that you have to do everything yourself. Being the best caregiver is not important; what's important is that you take care of yourself first, then, take care of your patient.
• Make use of available community resources to help you provide the best care for the patient.
• Pace yourself. Do what is most important, then do more if you have the energy. If not, be sure to take some time to relax.
• Don't lose your sense of humor. If you can laugh, even alone, do it.
• Schedule fun activities.
• Rent comedy movies, pop popcorn, and relax.
• Look into the full range of benefit programs for which you and the patient may be eligible, such as fuel assistance, senior citizens' discounts and weatherization programs, in addition to health and disability insurance and long-term care insurance. Call the Area Agency on Aging, Sheltering Arms, or Home Care Corporation for information.
• If you are trying out a new caregiving strategy, do not expect yourself to do it perfectly right away. Set realistic goals (e.g., "I'll try to yell one less time today").
• Allow yourself time to grieve the losses that accompany Alzheimer's disease.