A: PJ, I'm so sorry about your mother. Alzheimer's is a very cruel disease, just as hard on the family as it is on the victim. Providing full time care, especially when you're not trained in the care of Alzheimer's patients, can be very hard on your emotional and physical health.

Are there any nursing homes nearby? If so, call them and see if they offer respite care for Alzheimer's patients. This type of care would allow you to leave your mom in their expert hands for a few hours, a day or a weekend, so you can get some relief. Try contacting the nearest hospital to you, and find out how to contact local private nursing organizations.

You may be able to hire a private duty nurse for an occasional break so you can go out to lunch or get your hair done. There may be an Alzheimer's Support Group in your area. Check with local hospitals, doctors, senior centers, or your local town hall or library to see if they can help.

In addition, here are some online resources to check out:
Council on Aging for Southeastern Vermont:
http://www.coasevt.org/support_groups.html
Alzheimer's Association of Vermont and New Hampshire:
http://www.alzvtnh.org
Alzheimer's Association:
http://www.alz.org/
Springfield Hospital Alzheimer's Support Group:
http://www.springfieldhospital.org/press_releases
Vermont Agency of Human Services Alzheimer's Resources: http://www.dad.state.vt.us/ConsumerPages/
List of support groups local to Bennington, VT: http://www.svhealthcare.org/health/index.asp?ref=91

You can find online support groups by searching and browsing through places like Yahoo Groups, MSN Groups and Google Groups. Keep calling, keep asking until you find the help and support you need. It's important you keep yourself healthy and happy, so you can in turn care for your mom.

~The Vixen