Common Negative Feelings Experienced by Caregiver Families

• Anger…
  • At the family member with Alzheimer's disease
  • At themselves, the caregivers
  • At other family members and friends
  • At health care professionals
  • At God

• Denial…
  • Of the disease itself
  • Of the need for assistance

• Depression…
  • Over the lost relationship with the Alzheimer's person
  • Over the loss of family continuity

• Fear…
  • Of the genetic consequences
  • Of the future

• Guilt…
  • Over past experiences that may have caused the person's condition
  • Over the caregiver's own ability to still enjoy life
  • Over anger with other family members because they live far away, criticize, or prefer to remain uninvolved in caregiving
  • Over negative feelings and/or problems experienced with the Alzheimer's Individual
  • Over the ability or inability to provide adequate care

• Indecision…
  • About financial and legal issues
  • About medical care
  • About living arrangements

• Self-pity…
  • Over the unfair circumstances in life

• Shame and embarrassment…
  • Over the challenging behaviors exhibited by the Alzheimer's person
    

Sources: Oliver, R. and F. Bock 1987. "Coping with Alzheimer's: A Caregiver's Emotional Survival Guide." New York: Dodd, Mead and Company, Inc. "Just the Facts and More: Grief, Mourning and Guilt." 1992. Chicago: Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association, Inc.

Compiled by the Lincoln/Greater Nebraska Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, 1999.