WebMD's Barbara Bridges, RN, MSN

My heart and prayers go out to all of you who have been through the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. My deepest sympathy for those of you who may have lost loved ones and for those of you who have been separated from loved ones. I can't even imagine what you may be feeling.

These words are for those of you who are dementia caregivers. We know stability is needed to keep loved ones with dementia on an even keel. Yet here many of you are away from the comfortable environment of your homes; some of you may have lost everything in this devastating event. Dementia caregiving is a difficult enough task in a familiar environment. It will be markedly more difficult when you as the caregiver are under a lot of stress -- dealing with displacement from your home and grieving over losses incurred. Your loved one with any of the diseases causing dementing illness will be increasingly confused, disoriented, and needing a great deal more from you.

It is very important at this point in time that you seek and accept help from others. Caregivers typically are very poor at asking for or accepting assistance. In this time of need, seek help from others and accept graciously. Just remember that dementia caregiving is a full-time job -- 24 hours a day, seven days a week. No one can do this alone!

Alzheimer's Association chapters in your state, whether it be Louisiana, Alabama, or Mississippi, can be of assistance to you. You can find your local chapter on the web at: http://www.alz.org. Here are the help line phone numbers for each of the states:

Alabama: (1-866-463-6423)

Louisiana: (1-800-272-3900)

Mississippi: (1-877-525-4357)

Alzheimer's Association chapters can provide you with information regarding physicians and dementia facilities in the area in which you and your loved one find yourselves. Many of them have social workers on staff who can assist you as well. You may find the Alzheimer's Association listed in the white pages of the local phone book. If not, go to the yellow pages and look under the heading "Senior Services," where you should find a phone number for Senior Services Information and Assistance. They should be able to provide you with information on the local Alzheimer's Association chapter.

Here are some tips to help minimize some of the stress of your loved one with dementia, as well as decreasing stress for yourself:

1. Try to establish some structure and routine to your days and nights. Times to eat, sleep, exercise, drink, etc.

2. Be aware of simple signs of anxiety and agitation in your loved one with dementia. Understand the person with increasing brain damage has lost most if not all coping skills. Be very calm in demeanor. Talk and move slowly to present an environment of calm. Your loved one with dementia will have a difficult time grasping the big picture. He or she just needs to know everything will be OK.

3. Keep discussion with your loved one in the here and now. Give direction for what is to come next throughout the day, not what will happen tonight or tomorrow, next week, or next month. Discuss problems relative to losses of property, loved ones, etc. with others, not with your loved one with dementia. Reassure your loved one with the disease that things will be all right, even though you may be lost and trembling inside.

4. Seek assistance from a geriatric psychiatrist or other physician trained in working with those with dementia and who is familiar with medications that may be helpful if your loved one is having increasing or unrelenting anxiety, or if you or your loved one become depressed.

5. As much as possible, isolate your loved one from groups. Large groups, even of family, can be very difficult for those with dementia to tolerate. Find places where you and your loved one can be isolated and have quiet time throughout the day.

6. If you are staying with family or strangers temporarily, educate them on the situation with your loved one. Don't be hesitant to tell them if you need to seek quiet time, or ask them to stop running around the house or being very busy. Be an advocate for yourself and for your loved one with dementia.

7. Get some physical exercise daily yourself, and if possible, provide your loved one with the disease with some structured exercise time. Exercise not only uses up time during the day, but also increases endorphins in your systems. Exercise reduces stress and anxiety, and will help you to sleep more soundly.

8. Eat healthful and nutritious meals if at all possible, and take multiple vitamins, particularly antioxidants (check with a physician first), to assist your body in coping with the additional stresses in your life, and that of your loved one.

Above all, know that there are many people in this country and throughout the world who have you in their thoughts and prayers.

Feel free to post questions to me on the Alzheimer's Disease message board.Alzheimer's Disease message board.

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Published September 7, 2005.