National Family Caregivers Month: 10 Essential Resources to Guide Your Journey

Providing loving care for an aging family member with memory loss can be emotionally and physically overwhelming, especially as their daily needs become more complex. It’s therefore common for family caregivers to feel isolated in their journey and unsure of the next steps. To navigate these challenges, caregivers need dependable information, practical guidance, and ongoing support. And that’s where trusted resources can make all the difference.

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to honor the loving, selfless individuals who provide essential care and support to a family member living with dementia. At Anthem Memory Care, we believe caregivers deserve recognition every day of the year. And they deserve all the support we can provide.

If you caring for a loved one with dementia, you need resources to support your challenging journey. Fortunately, there are several organizations with online websites dedicated to helping family caregivers manage daily responsibilities and prepare for what lies ahead.

Below is a list of ten helpful resources you may find valuable on your caregiving journey:

1. Alz.orgThe official website of the Alzheimer’s Association, with a special section for caregivers.
2. Alzheimers.gov
   A comprehensive government resource offering support, information, and guidance for those caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
3. Family Caregiver AllianceFCA provides services to family caregivers of adults with physical and cognitive impairments, such as Parkinson’s, stroke, Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. 
4. Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
   The AFA provides support, services and education to individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias nationwide, and funds research for better treatment and a cure.
5. Caregiving – National Institute on Aging (NIA)
   Trusted information from the NIA at NIH, covering a wide range of topics to support family caregivers.
6. Caregiver Resource Center – Department of Healthcare Services
   Provides information on regional caregiver services as well as links to additional resources.
7. Family Caregiver Toolbox – Caregiver Action Network
   An assortment of articles on various topics related to caring for a loved one with dementia.
8. 24/7 Help Line – The Alzheimer’s Association
   A free service offering support for people living with dementia, caregivers, families and the public.
9. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): A Caregiver Support Program that provides training, a helpline, and mentoring for family caregivers of veterans.
10. Caregivers – MedlinePlus®
    A collection of caregiver resources from the National Library of Medicine at NIH, providing medical and practical assistance to caregivers.

We’d also like to offer ourselves as a resource. We’re here to help!

Our resource page includes recorded webinars on a variety of topics led by Dr. Tam Cummings, gerontologist and dementia expert. There are also links to white papers and additional resources. Our Anthem communities also provide dementia support groups as well as respite care to give family caregivers time to re-charge and take care of their own needs.

Whether you need guidance, local connections, or simply someone to talk to, feel free to reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities. We’re here to help you find the right support, both for today and as you plan for the future. We're just a call or visit away.