Dementia caregiving is one of the hardest unpaid jobs in America, and a strong support network is what keeps families standing.
Charles J. Fuschillo Jr.
President and CEO, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
Caregiving is one of life’s most meaningful roles, as well as the most demanding. For many, it equates to working a full-time job that they did not seek, were not formally trained for, and for which they receive no salary.
Over 11 million Americans care for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia-related illness, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Caring for someone with dementia presents unique and especially difficult challenges, which is why dementia caregivers face higher rates of stress, anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation, and burnout.
The unique weight of dementia
Unlike most other illnesses, dementia progressively affects memory, judgment, communication, reasoning, and behavior. Someone with dementia may no longer remember familiar people and places, wander from home, or be unable to perform basic everyday tasks. Some experience symptoms like confusion, agitation, aggression, and hallucinations.
Each day, dementia family caregivers manage their loved ones’ medications, medical appointments, household tasks, financial affairs, and activities of daily living. They also ensure the person’s safety and supervision. “Sandwich generation” caregivers who care for an aging parent with dementia frequently balance these responsibilities with working a full-time job and raising children.
Sound impossible for one person to manage alone? That’s because it is.
Why asking for help matters
Support is essential for every family caregiver. Seeking help is neither a sign of weakness or failure nor a cause for embarrassment. It is using a tool that builds strength, enhances care, and reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Ultimately, it benefits both the caregiver and their loved one with dementia.
Research consistently shows that robust caregiver support networks reduce isolation, strengthen resilience, and improve caregivers’ overall well-being. Utilizing education, respite services, support groups, counseling, and community resources, together with getting help from trusted relatives, friends, and neighbors, can reduce stress, improve health outcomes, and help loved ones remain safely at home longer.
If you are caring for someone with dementia, building and growing your support network is critically important.
Where to start
Starting can be as simple as answering the question “How can I help?” when someone trying to be supportive asks it. Offer several specific options when responding, such as watching the person while you take care of errands, helping with meals, picking up items from the store, or spending time with you. This allows the person to decide what they’re most comfortable doing while ensuring whatever they choose is beneficial.
Take advantage of the services that are available to help as well.
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) provides numerous free resources, including its helpline, which is available seven days a week by phone (866-232-8484), text message (646-586-5283), and webchat (alzfdn.org). Staffed entirely by licensed social workers specifically trained in dementia care, the AFA helpline can answer questions, deliver support, and provide connections with community-based services. Local area agencies on aging, nonprofit organizations, and community groups frequently offer caregiver support services as well. Seek them out in your town.
Caregiver support should not be viewed as a luxury. It is a necessity. Sacrificing your own needs and trying to do everything yourself, however well-intentioned, is detrimental. Every caregiver wants the best care possible for their loved one. Accessing support is a huge step forward toward that goal.
