Giving Thanks for the Service of Alzheimer's Caregivers This Holiday Season

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, many people are taking the time to give thanks for those they have in their lives. While some may be giving thanks to friends, family or co-workers this holiday season, for others, this is a time to reflect on the work done by professional caregivers. There are millions of families in the United States who have a loved one with Alzheimer's, and the nation has seen first-hand the work that caregivers do, and now is a great time to reflect on their work and give thanks to all these selfless individuals do.

November is not only the month of Thanksgiving, but it is also National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and National Caregiver month. For the millions of families who have a loved one with Alzheimer's disease, the caregivers that help care for these individuals are some of the most important people to give thanks for this holiday season. These special individuals do a great deal to help individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and their families. There are more than 15 million Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers living in the United States today and they all provide an often overlooked service that truly helps change the lives of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease.

These are the individuals that not only help take care of the daily health needs of Alzheimer's patients, but these are the individuals that provide Alzheimer's patients with much needed love and support. Alzheimer's disease not only presents many changes for the diagnosed individual and their loved ones, but for caregivers as well, who must change and adapt nearly everyday to meet the unique demands of their role. Being an Alzheimer's caregiver is a position that comes with a great deal of stress, yet these dedicated individuals still find themselves working around the clock to meet the full time demands of being a caregiver. These caregivers act as a friend, companion, caretaker, support system and more to those with Alzheimer's disease and they become an important part of these individuals' lives.

For many Alzheimer's patients, their caregivers become family to them. Whether the caregiver is a professional, family member or friend, they must dedicate themselves to helping these individuals and their family members handle their everyday tasks, recall important memories and cope with the stress that comes with having dementia. Alzheimer's is a heartbreaking disease that impacts the lives of millions, but its repercussions would be much more severe if it weren't for the dedicated support of these caregivers.

The holidays can be a particularly difficult time for those living with a family member with Alzheimer's disease. This holiday season spend time to not only give thanks for the friends and family around you but for the Alzheimer's caregivers that help keep these loved ones happy and healthy during this most wonderful time of the year.