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Supporting the primary care partner—or caregiver— who is caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia can feel overwhelming at times. Many people want to help but are unsure where to start, what to do, or how to take initiative.

The truth is that primary care partners carry heavy emotional, physical, and mental loads. The good thing is that there are many things you can do to support them. Whether you are a family member, healthcare professional, or just a friend, neighbor or part of the general community, everyone can play an important role in helping those caring for others.

If You’re a Family Member:

Family members can help by sharing responsibilities, easing the burden on the primary caregiver. Family members are often part of the core care team alongside the primary caregiver. Support works the best when it is shared, consistent, and given with good intention. We can help by doing activities and tasks with loved ones that help activate the brain and their cognitive thinking skills.

Family Can Include But is Not Limited to:

  • Children
  • Siblings
  • Grandchildren
  • Cousins
  • Extended family, etc.

Activities Include:

  • Art: painting, drawing, coloring, origami, etc.
  • Games: puzzles, word games, card games, etc.
  • Physical activities: walks, dancing, stretching, yoga, etc.
  • Tasks: folding laundry, light cleaning, cooking/baking, gardening, etc.

Spending time with a person living with dementia can help reduce pressure on the caregiver while also supporting the individual’s wellbeing. These activities help maintain a routine and support cognitive engagement.

Share Responsibilities:

Rather than asking “Let me know if you need anything,” offer specific help such as:

  • Take over caregiving for a few hours so the caregiver can take some time to rest
  • Help manage appointments or modes of transportation
  • Assist with things such as grocery shopping, meals, or running errands
  • Rotate responsibilities among family members (for example, alternate or rotate responsibilities weekly, biweekly, or monthly).

Taking initiative in sharing responsibilities can help relieve stress for the primary caregiver and show them that they have a strong team they can rely on.

Communicate and Stay Involved:

  • Check in regularly, not just during emergencies
  • Stay updated on care needs
  • Offer a listening ear to the primary caregiver
  • Respect the primary caregiver’s decisions
  • Offer emotional support without judgement

Lastly, caregivers need to rest. Even short breaks can make a big difference in reducing burnout.

If You’re a Healthcare Professional:

Healthcare professionals involved in the care of someone with dementia or memory loss can include doctors, nurses, therapists, specialists, providers, and others.

Healthcare professionals play a major role in both patient care and supporting the caregiver as part of the care team. Providing clear communication helps reduce confusion and stress for both the patient and the caregiver.

Communicate Clearly and Compassionately:

  • Speak directly to the patient while also including the caregiver
  • Use simple and easy to understand language
  • Be patient, repeat or rephrase when it’s needed
  • Allow for extra time for questions and concerns

Involve the Caregiver in Care Planning:

  • Include the caregiver in discussions about treatment and care plans
  • Ensure they understand medications, instructions, and follow up care
  • Make sure to provide written instructions, when possible
  • Provide additional information that may be useful to the caregiver

Care partners often help manage daily care, so involving them in these processes is very important.

Identify and Respond to Early Concerns:

Healthcare providers are often the first to notice cognitive changes. Early detection is crucial. Things like early screening and follow-ups can help identify any underlying causes and help plan the next steps. If memory loss is a concern, consider scheduling a memory screening one or referring to a memory screening provider like Alzheimer’s Orange County.

Support the Caregiver’s Wellbeing:

  • Speak with the caregiver about their stress and overall health
  • Provide referrals, encourage the use of support services and programs that are available to them and provided by local organizations such as Alzheimer’s Orange County

Caregivers are often at risk of stress-related health issues, so checking in on them is just as important as treating the patient.

If You Are a Friend, Neighbor, or Community Member:

You don’t need to be part of the family or the medical team to make a meaningful difference. Small but consistent actions can help caregivers. Some things you can do to help are:

  • Drop off meals or groceries
  • Help with sitting for children or the loved one with Alzheimer’s/dementia
  • Provide rides to appointments
  • Run any errands that they may need assistance with

Be specific when offering help. This will make it easier for caregivers to accept support and feel seen.

Provide Emotional Support:

  • Check in regularly with a call or text
  • Listen and provide support; often, listening matters more than trying to give input
  • Be patient and empathetic

Being present and supportive can help reduce the feeling of isolation.

Create Moments of Relief:

  • Spend time with the person living with dementia
  • Offer to sit and care for them so the caregiver can have a moment for themselves.
  • Engage in easy activities with the loved one with dementia

Lastly, keep in mind that dementia can be unpredictable. Plans may change, unforeseen circumstances can arise, and caregivers may feel overwhelmed. Offering a supportive, helping hand will always be appreciated and not overlooked by the caregiver. Being flexible shows the caregiver that they are supported, loved, and appreciated.

Everyone can play a role in supporting a primary care partner. Gestures, big or small, all help the primary caregiver. Whether you are a family member, healthcare professional, or part of the community, we can all help remind our loved ones that they are seen and valued.

Additional Reading:

To learn more about supporting caregivers and improving communication, explore these resources:

Caregiver Topic Sheets:

View a library of caregiver topic sheets with helpful advice and tips across multiple categories and care topics. Read more.

Caring Conversations:

Read the handout on how to kindly communicate with our loved ones that face Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Read more.

Alzheimer’s Orange County Webinars for Professionals:

Healthcare professionals and community members can learn more about dementia care, brain health and other related topics by viewing our webinar archive.  Watch here.

 

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