The American Academy of Family Physicians and the U.S. Department of Health offer the following caregiver coping tips:

• Educate yourself about your spouse’s disease and how it may affect him or her.

• Find sources of help for caregiver tasks. Contact family, friends, churches/synagogues and other caregiver organizations. Find these resources early, even before you need them, so you can call or refer to them quickly when the time comes.

• Protect your personal time and try to find time for exercise, eating well and getting enough sleep.

• Get yearly checkups and recommended health screenings.

• Watch out for signs of depression (such as increased crying, a change in sleep patterns and/or appetite, or lack of interest in usual activities) and talk to your doctor if you experience these symptoms.

• Consider how you will feel and what you will do after the caregiving ends.