ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the appropriate metaphor to capture the task of researchers focusing on adaptation among caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients. It focuses on the image of juggling while walking. The seasoned professional knows that stationary juggling is less appealing and represents an earlier stage of competence than juggling while walking. The task of the caregiving researcher is to simultaneously assess and account for a variety of influences on the caregiver and the care recipient. Depression among caregivers is a frequent area of concern. The contribution focuses on four major themes: Measurement strategies to capture stability and change; the importance of intraindividual differences; the importance of interindividual differences in intraindividual differences; and the salience of inter- and intrafamilial differences. The final element that adds to the complexity of caregiving research is the variety of family response to the stress of caregiving.
