The Alzheimer's caregivers’ story is often one of sustained stress, exhaustion and isolation. Rates of depression among caregivers of Alzheimer's patients are higher than for non-caregivers. Incidence of poor nutrition and chronic disease are higher than people without the burden of 24-hour care-giving.
For people with little support from friends and friends, the disease brings the loss of a loved one, as well as significant financial obstacles for people without the resources to pay for home health aides and other types of custodial and respite care. In our special series, Facing Alzheimer's: The Caregivers' Challenge, WGBH's Sean Corcoran explores the challenges of caring for Massachusetts' more than 120,000 Alzheimers' patients.
