Adding caregiver responsibilities to an already full life will understandably take a mental toll. "When an individual experiences lots of everyday hassles or stressful life events, there is a reduction in the ability to remember [certain] information," says Dean D. VonDras, PhD, associate professor of human development and psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, who's conducted several studies on the effects of stress. Dr. VonDras notes that mental exercises and devices should improve short-term memory, such as a Concentration-type memory game in which a person must choose objects by remembering the sequence of their presentation. He also suggests you "perform familiar tasks in unfamiliar ways, such as combing your hair or brushing your teeth with the hand not normally used, which works different parts of the brain and improves mental functioning."

Dealing with the stress, however, requires different strategies. "The most basic would be to join a support group for caregivers and have the opportunity to share thoughts, feelings and key issues," advises Dr. VonDras. "Different support groups are focused on different [health] issues." Also, he points out, "there often are educational programs about how to be a caregiver sponsored by area hospitals and medical centers. Learning how to aid elders is an important resource for any caregiver, and this new knowledge tends to lower stress." It's important to remember that you're not in this alone, Dr. VonDras says. "A large body of research suggests that social support is a great buffer against stress."