There are support groups for those caregivers dealing with Alzheimer's patients. But often, caregivers have to rely on themselves for strength. That's where poetry - - yes, poetry - - comes in.

"Yes, because when you write poetry you truly need to find your voice. You make so many decisions - where am I coming from, what is this? It's so easy to complain in journals, this is so hard. And when you write poetry, it's a different art form," said author France Kakugawa.

The Alzheimer's Association sponsors workshops with Frances that encourage caregivers to find their "poetry" voice as a form of therapy.

"I heard once that love in action is care. And it's such a wonderful thing. Caregivers are doing and they need a release that's productive and offering the caregiver workshops that we do with Frances - - it's incredible, we have people who come back year after year," said Elizabeth Stevenson of the Alzheimer's Association.

Stevenson is quick to point out not all caregivers react the same to their role.

"Often times spouses are in much more of a grieving situation, grieving a loss of their love, their loved one who they've been partnered with their entire life," said Stevenson.

And that's where Frances's poetry workshop can make a huge difference.

"The essence of poetry writing is and my lecture is trying to see the dignity, to dignify the process of caregiving. And to humanize the process...because right now, at this moment, there is no cure for Alzheimer's. So what can we do? We need to look within ourselves and poetry becomes one of those tools for us," said Kakugawa.

Her next workshop will be June 7th at four o'clock at the Ward Warehouse at 4 p.m. In the Kakaako Room.