Family and Caregiver Issues in the Treatment of Patients With Alzheimer's Disease.
Family members have long been recognized as key players in the provision of care to the over 4 million Americans who suffer from Alzheimer's disease (AD). Physicians who provide care to AD patients increasingly recognize that to provide appropriate and effective care to their identified patients, they must also respond to the special care needs of these caregivers and families, who have been aptly described as "hidden patients." Families benefit from information and education about the disease itself, from information about caregiving and how to deal with common patient problems such as depression and agitation, and from assistance in coping with the physical and emotional demands of caregiving. This article identifies the needs of families and provides recommendations about specific treatment approaches and resources that can be used by the physician and other health care providers who serve these individuals.