As a caregiver for a loved one with dementia, you may feel lost, alone, or like no one understands what you are going through. Everyone goes through different stages. While trying to balance the demands of caregiving with other obligations such as family and work, you may be faced with a roller coaster ride of emotions, from despair and fear to anger and frustration.
Fortunately, there are many excellent resources available for caregivers. Many of them are completely free. Here are 10 of the best free resources for caregivers who provide dementia care.
Dementia support group
Support groups are some of the best resources available to caregivers with dementia. Connecting with other caregivers who have had similar journeys and experiences can help caregivers feel less alone. In addition, other caregivers are often good advisers on how to handle specific caregiving situations.
The Alzheimer’s Association provides a searchable database of support groups, making it easy for caregivers who want to join an in-person group to find a support group near them.
For caregivers who prefer to interact online or who don’t have the time or ability to attend face-to-face meetings, ALZConnected and Caregiver Nation are her 24/7 online support communities.
Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Hotline
If you are in a crisis, a dementia caregiver can call the Alzheimer’s Association hotline 24 hours a day, 7 to speak with master’s level doctors and specialists. This hotline provides crisis counseling, decision support, education, information about local programs and services, information about financial and legal resources, treatment options, and treatment decisions. A live chat option is also available Monday through Friday from 7am to 7pm.
The Alzheimer’s Association offers plenty of downloadable resources, too, covering many questions and concerns dementia caregivers face.
Family Caregiver Alliance – Dementia Caregiver Resources
The Family Caregiver Alliance provides a wealth of resources for caregivers caring for people with various health conditions and disabilities. The Dementia Caregiver Resources section is a treasure trove of helpful guides, tips, and stories from caregivers designed to help caregivers navigate the journey of caring for a loved one with dementia. The Family Caregiver Alliance also offers online support groups for caregivers to connect with others facing similar challenges and who can offer advice on how to overcome common caregiver challenges.
The National Alliance for Caregiving – Brain Health Conversation Guide
While the National Alliance for Caregiving provides support and resources for all caregivers, caregivers with dementia should benefit from the Brain Health Conversation, developed in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation of the United States, on changes in memory and cognition. You’ll find it especially helpful in navigating these difficult discussions. health. Other guides, including the Spanish version of the Brain Health Conversation Guide, can be found here.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Dementia Care
For dementia caregivers caring for veterans in the United States contact the Department of Veterans Affairs for useful information about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, as well as information about services and resources available to veterans with dementia. Services provided include support for both veterans and their caregivers.
Cleveland Clinic – Healthy Brains
The Cleveland Clinic’s Healthy Brains initiative offers customized brain health assessment tools, lifestyle tips, the latest research and medical updates, and more. This interactive resource can help both caregivers and people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, offering tips to reduce your risk of developing dementia and helpful tips for caregivers such as information on the healing power of pets, the latest clinical trials, and more.
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America – Caregiving Resources
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers many resources to help caregivers with Alzheimer’s disease, including a free helpline, dozens of fact sheets, free community classes, and webinars. AFA also offers a national memory screening program that offers ongoing free memory screenings in the United States. The program has so far screened more than 5 million people.
Caregiver Action Network’s Family Caregiver Toolbox
For helpful tips and information on all aspects of caregiving, the Caregiver Action Network’s Family Caregiver Toolbox is a wonderful resource. While not specifically aimed at caregivers with dementia, there is plenty of information caregivers can use along with resources for caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. CAN’s Care Community features multiple forums, including a group for Alzheimer’s caregivers, a forum for caregivers dealing with depression, and a group for caregivers to discuss tips and strategies for interacting with healthcare providers.
Dementia Friendly America
Dementia Friendly America is a national network of communities, organizations, and individuals dedicated to enabling communities across the United States to support people with dementia and their caregivers. DFA offers a robust toolkit for caregivers and their loved ones with dementia, and those who want to advocate in their community.
Memory Café
In hospitals, libraries, senior centers and other locations, Memory Cafes help people with dementia and their caregivers overcome social isolation and connect with others coping with similar situations. The Memory Cafe Directory lists hundreds of Memory Cafes across the United States.
Are you interested in learning more about how home care can benefit your loved one as they live comfortably in their homes, let us know. We’d love to discuss the many options available!
