Diagnosing stress before it develops into even more serious complications

Stress alone can lead to a compromised immune system and lead to serious health problems if it is not addressed. As the stress increases, the body will send out warning signs that it can no longer handle it and the caregiver can become burned out and unable to assist their loved one. Warning sings might be expressed physically (sleep problems, tension headaches, weight gain or loss), emotionally (anger, mood swings), and behaviorally (using alcohol or drugs, withdrawing from relationships).

The Alzheimer's Association offers and online stress checklist (www.alz.org/stresscheck), which when completed takes you to a list of resources.

The questions on the test are:
1. Feel like you have to do it all yourself, and that you should be doing more.
2. Withdraw from family, friends and activities that you used to enjoy.
3. Worry that the person you care for is safe.
4. Feel anxious about money and healthcare decisions.
5. Deny the impact of the disease and its effects on your family.
6. Feel grief or sadness that your relationship with the person isn't what it used to be.
7. Get frustrated and angry when the person with dementia continually repeats things and doesn't seem to listen.
8. Have health problems that are taking a toll on you mentally and physically.