COPING WITH SPECIFIC STRESSORS IN ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE CAREGIVING

Strategies used to cope with specific caregiving stressors were examin ed in a sample of 170 Alzheimer's disease (AD) caregivers. The most co mmonly identified stressors were memory deficits, loss of ability to c ommunicate, and gradual decline of a loved one. Wishfulness was relate d to more depressed affect, regardless of stresser type. Other strateg ies related to more depressed affect included taking direct action whe n coping with patient memory deficits and stoicism in response to decl ine of a loved one. Strategies related to less depressed affect includ ed relaxation in response to memory deficits, acceptance in dealing wi th communication impairments and decline of a loved one, and seeking s ocial support in coping with decline of a loved one.