Caring for dementia

Reliance on family carers has increased over the past 30 years in most communities in the Western world. Hospitals and institutions have become smaller and more health care is given in outpatient and community settings. But in many areas of the world, the numbers of disabled elderly persons continue to grow. A great deal of stress is associated with the caring role. The demands are constant and relentless, both in terms of practical assistance and emotional strain and worry, and the time taken by daily tasks.