The brief review of the history of Alzheimer's disease shows that the disease has come a long way and data proves that researchers are working around the clock to try to understand the biological mechanism underlying Alzheimer's disease, to develop treatments and cures, to help relieve the burden families are facing from this devastating disease. Thus, the question is asked: what is the burden of Alzheimer's disease on the family, and what can be done?.
Caregiver burdens are a set of physical, psychological or emotional, and financial problems family members experienced when caring for impaired older adults, the majority of which are cared for by their family members at home (Kaufer et., al 2005).
Alzheimer's disease is increasingly described today as an epidemic in both professional literature and via media communication. It is a progressive condition characterized by the loss of cognition, altered behavior, and daily living activities such as bathing, cooking, dressing, organizing finances, and communicating with others. According to Hutchison (2010) caring for a love one with Alzheimer's can be a 24/7 job, and taking an emotional, physical and financial burden on families. The former first lady Laura Bush in her poem "the sad good bye" had this to say about taking care of someone with Alzheimer's, " watching my mother look after daddy, it was clear to me that caring for a love one suffering from Alzheimer's is a burden that cannot be carried alone". Caring for another adult is hard work. Depending on the severity of the loved one condition, caretakers may be constantly bending, lifting, twisting, and straining, which can lead to muscular injuries, such as strains, sprains or even skeleton problems resulting in back neck or knee pain. Brown (2008) even more pointed in her article on the concept of the burden of alzheimer's stated that "one of the greatest costs of AD can be the physical and emotional toll on family members, caregivers, and friends of people with the disease.