How does a caregiver manage their own mental health?

I’d say that the first thing is that respite is required. As the disease progresses the primary caregiver may not realize how much they need respite but it’s critically important. If you’re someone who lives nearby, offering to come and spend time with [the patient] then you offer to spend time with him or offer to get a volunteer or another family member to spend time so that [the caregiver] can get breaks. Then, really encourage [the caregiver] to take breaks because what happens is that caregivers are so dedicated they often say “oh I don’t need it” until it’s too late until she’s the one who collapses and ends up in the hospital because she’s dehydrated or her blood pressure’s high or whatever the reason is because she’s not taking care of herself.