According to a new article at AARP “…caregivers stand at particular risk for a host of mental and physical illnesses, many of which have roots in stress, exhaustion, and self-neglect.” The article, entitled ‘Caring for the Caregiver’, looks at the current situation facing over 20 million caregiving households in America.
The article is only one part of the comprehensive collection of caregiving information that can be found on the AARP site. Their online guide to caregiving features numerous informative articles, a caregiving message board, newsletter, and online seminars.

It’s estimated that almost a quarter of American adults are caring for an aging parent, spouse, or relative. And while this can be very rewarding, it can also be very stressful.
If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia related disease, you should head over to CaregiverStress.com and take their Caregiver’s Stress Assessment.
This online test will not only assess your stressl level but also provide advice on how to deal with the stresses you are under.
(I found out about the Caregiver’s Stress Assessment test over at The Dementia Caregiver’s Toolbox)

ADEAR (Alzheimer’s Disease Education & Referral Center) offers much information about this disease, including free and low cost publications to help families deal with various aspects of caregiving and coping.  These include anger, resource list, caregiving basics, coping with stress, long-term care questions, holiday hints for AD caregivers, and more.
You can download the free ones from the ADEAR site and send for the print publications at a small cost, $2.00 to $7.50.
ADEAR is a branch of the National Institute on Aging.
Check these out at http://nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/BrowseAndOrder.htm >