More than 11 million people in the U.S. are providing unpaid care to a person living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. In 2022, the estimated 18 billion hours of unpaid care was valued at more than $339 billion.
The Alzheimer’s Association offers free resources online and on the phone for caregivers. A professionally staffed 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900) offers information and advice to more than 300,000 callers each year and provides translation in more than 200 languages. The Alzheimer’s Association caregiving pages (alz.org/care) contain information and resources to support caregivers across the caregiving. ALZConnected is an online community that allows caregivers and individuals living with the disease to connect with others to share thoughts, questions, and ideas with each other 24 hours a day.
The Alzheimer’s Association and AARP Community Resource Finder connects caregivers to a variety of local resources by simply entering their zip code. The database includes listings for a wide range of services, including: housing options, adult day care, home care, medical services, legal services, and other community resources.
In honor of November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and also National Family Caregivers Month, the Alzheimer’s Association offers 8 tips to support an Alzheimer’s caregiver:
- Educate yourself about the disease.
- Build a team of family and friends who want to help with caregiving.
- Give caregivers a break.
- Check in — call, send a note or stop by for a visit.
- Do the “To-do” list.
- Be specific with your offer to help. Instead of saying, “Call me if you need anything,” say “I’m headed to the grocery store before I stop by, what can I pick up for you?”
- Help during the holidays.
- Join the fight and volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association.
For more information, call 800.272.3900.