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The family caregiving literature suggests that, at the moderate stage of impairment from dementia, family members who provide dementia care often need to manage troublesome behaviors, such as catastrophic reactions (emotional outbursts) and wandering. As a result, families are introduced to a demanding situation of unpredictability and the need for constant vigilance. It stands to reason that care burden reaches its highest level during the moderate stage of Alzheimer's disease, partly due to the emergence of disruptive behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asserts that providing care to persons with dementia adversely affects the physical health of family caregivers and describes the unique role of physical therapy in helping families minimize the physical burdens of caregiving that occur at the moderate to severe stages of dementia care. Physical complaints of family caregivers, including low back pain, neck pain, arthritic knees, decreased general strength, and poor balance.

Describes four key factors to consider when working with caregivers of persons with dementia in their homes. Discussion of seven common challenges of service provision in the home; Recommendation of strategies for addressing these challenges.

Evaluating the safety of the home environment is an important component of clinical care for persons with dementia. This article discusses safety concerns for persons with dementia living at home alone or with family members, specific modifications to the physical environment to address these issues, and guiding principles for implementing environmental changes. A wide range of environmental strategies can be introduced to maximize home safety. Different adaptations may need to be implemented with progressive memory loss thus necessitating periodic reevaluation of the home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]