For Families and Friends

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, which leads to changes in memory, thinking and behavior.

When a family member is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia, the effect on your entire family can be overwhelming. The diagnosis can trigger a range of emotions — including anger, fear, frustration and sadness.

If you have recently begun caring for a loved one our caregiver checklist provides some helpful guidance for caring for someone with a progressive dementia.

Educate Yourself

Learning as much as you can is the first step toward dealing with emotions and understanding what is happening. Empowering yourself with the right information and resources with help you support your loved one who is living with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. Our ADRD info pages are a good place to start.

Our classes & webinars are a helpful resource for family care partners or anybody wanting to learn more about ADRD and what to expect.

Consider joining a Savvy Caregiver course, which provides caregivers with the skills and knowledge they need to provide the highest level of care for their loved ones, as well as for themselves.

Find Support

Support groups are a way for people with a common experience to help and learn from each other. They can be an important source of emotional support, and a great way to see what works for others and learn about local services. There are many regularly meeting support groups throughout Alaska so look for one that fits your schedule.

If you aren’t sure where to start, our dementia educators offer free consultations and can help guide you down an appropriate path and inform you about other resources that might be available for your situation or within your local area.

Take Care of Yourself

Being a caregiver can be extremely rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming. Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia takes time and effort. It can feel lonely and frustrating.

Many people begin this journey by taking on too much without taking good care of themselves.

Partner with friends and family members to alleviate stress. Consider a Care Coordinator to relieve some of the burdens by guiding you through the maze of health care, financial and social services available in our Alaska communities. They can also help you access the Alaska Medicaid Waiver Program.

Our community resource guides offer local services for additional care needs.