1. Because of the subtleness of the progressin of Alzheimer's disease, caregivers found themselves gradually allocating increased amounts of time and energy to the care of their loved ones. 2. All of the relatives mentioned the need to share the experience either formally with support groups for caregivers, or informally with relatives and friends. 3. Nurses' support of caregivers may prevent them from viewing their loved one as an object and prevent some of the prevailing guilt expressed by participants in this study.