"First, take good care of yourself.

Ask for help. Advocate for what you need.

Break the job into small tasks."

"Give yourself lots of credit.

Educate yourself about the care-receiver's condition.

Seek support from other caregivers."

"Plan ahead.

Develop a back-up plan.

Trust your instincts."

"Get enough rest and eat properly.

Have a sense of humor. Laugh as much as you can.

When people offer to help, accept their offer."

"Get organized.

Treat the care-receiver with respect.

Forgive yourself for being human."

"Speak in a simple, clear way.

Be aware of other care options and be willing to explore them.

Use respite care when needed."

"Keep supplies together that are often used together. Keep a list of supplies so that you can easily replace them.

Set aside time for prayer and reflection.

Stay in touch with outside friends."

"Know that you are providing an invaluable and important service to the person you are taking care of."

"First, take good care of yourself."

"Ask for help. Advocate for what you need."

"Break the job into small tasks."

"Give yourself lots of credit."

"Seek support from other caregivers."

"Plan ahead."

"Develop a back-up plan."

"Trust your instincts."

"Get enough rest and eat properly."

"Have a sense of humor. Laugh as much as you can."

"When people offer to help, accept their offer."

"Get organized."

"Treat the care-receiver with respect."

"Forgive yourself for being human."

"Speak in a simple, clear way."

"Be aware of other care options and be willing to explore them."

"Keep supplies together that often used together. Keep a list of supplies so that you can easily replace them."

"Set aside time for prayer and reflection."

"Use respite care when needed."

"Stay in touch with outside friends."

"Know that you are providing an invaluable and important service to the person you are taking care of."

"Watch out for signs of depression."

"Stand up for your rights as a caregiver."

"Incorporate activities that give your pleasure."

"Pamper yourself. Listen to music. Get a massage."

"Try to take a walk every day."

"Keep a journal. Write down your thoughts and feelings."

"Schedule visitors to help give you a break."

"Join an online support group."

"Talk to the pharmacist about ways to organize medications."

"Be realistic in your expectations."

"Find a support group where you can share your feelings and concerns."

"Keep in mind that the way the person functions may change from day to day, so try to be flexible and adapt your routine as needed. "

"Call the care-receiver by name, making sure you have his or her attention before speaking. "

"Try to frame questions and instructions in a positive way."

"Plan the bath or shower for the time of day when the care-receiver is most calm and agreeable. Be consistent. Try to develop a routine. "

"Minimize safety risks by using a handheld showerhead, shower bench, grab bars, and nonskid bath mats. Never leave the person alone in the bath or shower. "

"Try to have the care-receiver get dressed at the same time each day so he or she will come to expect it as part of the daily routine. "

"Encourage the person to dress himself or herself to whatever degree possible. Plan to allow extra time so there is no pressure or rush. "

"Aim for a quiet, calm, reassuring mealtime atmosphere by limiting noise and other distractions. "

"Choose dishes and eating tools that promote independence. If the person has trouble using utensils, use a bowl instead of a plate, or offer utensils with large or built-up handles. Use straws or cups with lids to make drinking easier. "

"Help the care-receiver get started on an activity. Break the activity down into small steps and praise the person for each step he or she completes."

"Encourage exercise during the day and limit daytime napping, but make sure that the person gets adequate rest during the day because fatigue can increase the likelihood of late afternoon restlessness. "

"Try to keep bedtime at a similar time each evening. Developing a bedtime routine may help. "

"Restrict access to caffeine late in the day. "

"Install secure locks on all outside windows and doors, especially if the person is prone to wandering. "

"Remove the locks on bathroom doors to prevent the person from accidentally locking himself or herself in. "

"Use childproof latches on kitchen cabinets and anyplace where cleaning supplies or other chemicals are kept. "

"Label medications and keep them locked up. "

"Make sure knives, lighters and matches, and guns are secured and out of reach. "

"Keep the house free from clutter."

"Remove scatter rugs and anything else that might contribute to a fall."

"Make sure lighting is good both inside and out. "

"Be alert to and address kitchen-safety issues, such as the person forgetting to turn off the stove after cooking. Consider installing an automatic shut-off switch on the stove to prevent burns or fire."

"Keep or adapt family traditions that are important to you. Include the person with AD as much as possible. "

"Recognize that things will be different, and have realistic expectations about what you can do. "

"Encourage friends and family to visit. Limit the number of visitors at one time, and try to schedule visits during the time of day when the person is at his or her best. "

"Avoid crowds, changes in routine and strange surroundings that may cause confusion or agitation. "

"Do your best to enjoy yourself. "

"Take time to nurture yourself daily with a healthy diet, exercise and adequate rest and sleep. "

"Organize your responsibilities and priorities. "

"Allow yourself to be angry. Sometimes things do not always go well."

"Maintain an active social life. "

"Take the time to be with friends. "

"Acknowledge all that you do. "

"Schedule regular afternoons or evenings out. "

"Get enough sleep. If you are kept up at night, try a nap during the day to make up some sleep. "

"Exercise regularly, even if it means finding someone else to provide care while you walk or go to exercise class. "

"Make a list of jobs you need help with and seek out someone to assist you. This could include household chores, home repair or maintenance, driving, paying bills, or finding information on services you need. "

"If possible, arrange for adult day care for your loved one. "

"Draw strength from your faith. Even home visits from a member of your church or synagogue are a way to keep you in touch. "

"Plan a weekend getaway or a weeklong vacation. "

"Take care of legal matters, both medical and financial."

"Locate government agencies and learn the procedure to apply for services that can offer financial support (disability), personal care assistants and other supportive services."

"Understand your medical insurance and the procedure you will have to follow to get assistive devices that are covered by insurance."

"You will need legal documents such as a will, power of attorney for healthcare, power of attorney for property, life insurance policies, bank statements, and a listing of all financial accounts."

"Begin your own medical record (Family Caregiver Organizer) of the care-receiver, including a list of all procedures with dates and all medications (include over the counter)."

"You should get copies of the medical record whenever you see a specialist or go for a test."

"Discuss with your care-receiver what issues are more important to him or her, such as staying in his or her own home."

"Make a list of those you think will be willing to help you and the care-receiver. Make a list of very specific tasks and ask each of them to select what they are willing to do. "

"Keep this list next to the phone, so when someone asks you what they can do, you will have a quick response."

"Teach others how they can help. "

"Not everything important is urgent."

"Find balance."

"Never let yourself get too hungry, angry, lonely or tired."

"Learn to let go."

"Take care of your back."

"Focus on the good qualities in a difficult person."

"Always be direct and to the point."

"Grieve for your losses, and then allow yourself to dream new dreams. "

"Seek support from other caregivers. There is great strength in knowing you are not alone."

"Educate yourself about the care-receiver's condition."

"Avoid talking to the care-receiver like a baby or talking about the person as if he or she weren't there. "

"Minimize distractions and noise -- such as the television or radio -- to help the person focus on what you are saying. "

"Have a routine for taking the person to the bathroom and stick to it as closely as possible. For example, take the person to the bathroom every 3 hours or so during the day. Don't wait for the person to ask. "

"If you can't leave and friends can't come over, take time each day for a phone conversation with a friend or family member. "

"Eat nutritious meals. Don't give in to stress-driven urges for sweets or drink too much alcohol. "

"Join a support group -- online or locally. "

"Get all of your "papers" in one safe place - certified copies of birth certificates, marriage certificate, divorce decree, voter registration, vehicle registration and title, social security card, military identification and discharge orders."

"Wherever possible, try to make all important decisions after a good night's sleep or a long walk and in the light of day."

"There's a difference between caring and doing. Be open to technologies and ideas that promote your loved one's independence. "