Resources for Alzheimer's Caregivers

Caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease can be challenging, but you don't have to do it alone. We've collected essential resources on Alzheimer's caregiving below, including information on taking care of yourself.

Whether you are a new caregiver or have been helping someone for years, you can draw on the experiences of other caregivers and Alzheimer's care professionals to provide the best care possible for the person with Alzheimer's in your life.

Learning Opportunities Online 

These programs provide all the essential information needed by family members, friends or professional caregivers after a new diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease/related dementia is made and as the disease progresses.

Planning Ahead Online Class

Alzheimer's disease/dementia is a condition that can last for 8 – 10 years and will require additional help and care as the condition changes. Planning Ahead modules will discuss medical, legal and financial decisions that are needed along with how to find help and pay for care in the home, community and residential settings.

View the entire Planning Ahead class:

• Planning Ahead (30 minutes)

View Planning Ahead as individual learning modules:

• Welcome to Planning Ahead 

• Where Can I Find Advance Directives?

• How to Pay for Alzheimer's Care

• Care Options for People with Alzheimer's

• How to Find an Alzheimer's Care Facility 

• Arizona and National Alzheimer's Support Agencies

As Dementia Progresses Online Learning Modules

These learning modules help caregivers to understand the moderate to advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease/related dementia. Caregivers will learn about expected changes in memory, thinking, mood, behavior and function. Practical strategies are provided to assist caregivers to find success in their efforts.

• As Dementia Progresses

• Defining the Moderate Stage of Alzheimer's Disease

• Moderate Dementia Stage Changes

• Issues with Moderate-Stage Alzheimer's Disease

• Goals for Treatment

• Medications for Cognition

• Treating Other Symptoms

• Other Concerns – Weight Loss

• Other Concerns – Falls

• Other Concerns – Caregiver Well Being

• Summary and Moving Forward

Alzheimer's Disease Education

Sign up for the BEACON monthly e-newsletter, which provides timely information for people caring for someone with Alzheimer's.

Produced by the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute and Banner Sun Health Research Institute centers of excellence, Dementia Untangled offers expert guidance and support for caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients. Learn more and watch the latest episodes of Dementia Untangled. 

Caregiving Basics

• Caring for a Person with Alzheimer's Disease PDF

• Early Stage Caregiving

• Middle Stage Caregiving

• Late Stage Caregiving

• Online Care Training - Become certified in dementia care.

• Communication

• Food and Eating

• Activities

• Alzconnected Caregivers Forum - An interactive message board for people providing Alzheimer's care. You can submit your own questions to the forum or read questions and answers submitted by others.

• Spouse or Partner Caregiver Forum - An interactive message board specifically for people having a partner or spouse with Alzheimer's.

Care Options

• In-Home Care

• Respite Care

• Adult Day Centers

• Residential Care

• Hospice Care

Understanding Behaviors

• Anxiety and Agitation

• Depression

• Hallucinations

• Memory Loss and Confusion

• Repetition

• Aggression and Anger

• Wandering

• Sleep Issues and Sundowning

• Suspicions and Delusions

Planning for the Future

Travel

• Travel Well with Dementia- Traveling to new places and staying connected to family and friends is a primary goal for most people. When a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease/related dementia, many think that travel is no longer possible. Yet travel is often desired by both the affected person and family whether joining in celebrations, reunions or a last chance to take a trip of a lifetime. And, travel is possible for most – especially in the earlier stages of the condition. To learn more about how to support travel for persons with dementia, consider this new book, "Travel Well with Dementia; Essential tips to enjoy the journey" by Jan Dougherty, RN.

Safety

• Elder Abuse

• Home Safety for People with Alzheimer's Disease

• Alzheimer's and Safety

• Dementia and Driving Resource Center

• Driving Safety PDF

Financial Issues

• Managing Money Problems

• Legal and Financial Planning

• About Medicare and Medicaid

• Social Security Disability

• Legal and Financial Planning for People with Alzheimer's Fact Sheet PDF

• Nursing Homes: Making the Right Choice

• LongTermCare.gov - The national clearinghouse for long term care information.

Caring for the Caregiver

• Being a Healthy Caregiver

• Caregiver Stress

• Respite Care

• Caregiver Depression

• Grief and Loss