Stacy - I am so sorry to hear about your situation - one that is very common among caregivers. You are not the first family member to lose their cool and snap at a loved one when things escalate. This is all a part of the chronic stress which affects caregivers and often indicates caregiver burnout. 60% of caregivers die before the patient - this is the reason I became involved in caregiver support groups over 15 years ago. You MUST take care of yourself in order to care for your mother. Finding an outlet for your emotions, taking breaks from the duties of caregiving, going to lunch or coffee with a friend, asking friends or family to give you a weekend off each month or one night a week, and allowing others to support you can all help. It is important to be intentional about making time for yourself, and not just expecting it to occur naturally. Caregiver support groups are a great way to share with others these kinds of challenges. You may be surprised at just how much it helps to listen to someone else say that they too have behaved in ways they wish they could take back. Often I suggest caregivers take a stack of post-it notes and write single tasks with which they need help on a note, and place the note on the refrigerator. These can be like - Change the AC filters, Dust the spare room, take mom to lunch, ect. When friends or family ask, "If there is anything I can do, just let me know." Then suggest they go to your fridge and find a task of their choice to complete. Most people do well with a single request for help, and when they can pick the one which suits them, even better. Don't be afraid to ask for help! And, counseling for yourself can be a way to gain perspective and let off some steam! - rg

Kelly - it might also be useful to understand some of the lingo you will likely encounter. When looking at home services, the industry differentiates between Skilled needs and Custodial needs. A Skilled need is usually one in which a RN or LVN is needed - services like Laura mentioned above. Most skilled care is considered short term and IS covered by Medicare and other insurance plans. Custodial needs are most likely long term and ones which do NOT require the level of a nurse, and can be preformed by a caregiver with training. This type of care is designed to meet the ADL's (Activities of Daily Living) - like bathing and dressing. These are by far the most common needs families have as the need is mostly for supportive services: meal prep, light housekeeping, grooming, ect. Custodial needs are NOT covered by Medicare or standard insurances but may be covered through a long term care policy.

Kelly - yes, the disease progresses differently for each patient. We can make broad generalizations and predictions about the progression based on a large body of research and experience, but each person is affected uniquely. Some factors would include, the type of Neurocognitive impairment, other health conditions, age and age at onset of the disease, and lifestyle factors. Two recommendations: 1) Find a good gerontologist or physician specializing in geriatrics - having the right professional leading the march can make a HUGE difference, and 2) Start planning early - make sure legal documents are in place to help navigate the challenges ahead. Attending Caregiver Support Groups can help educate yourself and lessen the stresses as you share the journey with others.

Melissa - I really appreciate your observations and concern about your father's situation. Indeed, for persons scoring high on the Loneliness scale, they can have the same health risks as if they smoked 15 cigarettes a day! Loneliness begets depression, and a vicious cycle ensues. These symptoms can exacerbate cognitive impairment issues as well. As Ryan mentioned, depending on where he lives, there may be resources. Contact the local Area Agency on Aging, look for Day Programs or even Senior Centers which often provide low cost lunch as well as many activities and exercise programs. Also you might seek out counseling resources or even an evaluation for his cognitive impairment which will aid you and your siblings in planning for the future. Also, check out Dementia Caregiver Support Groups for yourself and your siblings as a way to inform and prepare for what's ahead!