Some of the most difficult challenges in caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders include times when your loved one becomes irritable, agitated, disoriented, and/or angry, and exhibits behaviors that are difficult to deal with such as wandering, or its opposite, clinging. Here are some coping strategies.

For most caregivers, learning that a loved one has a progressive memory loss disorder such as Alzheimer’s is a sudden signal that their lives are about to change, with tremendous responsibilities and difficult decisions ahead. But it’s also a signal that you need to ensure that you take care of your own well-being, too, so that you’ll be able to give the best care possible to your loved one in the coming years.