Support
Where To Look For Support
The right type of help is different for every person. The options below are roughly in order from the least to the most hands-on help available. Services can either be government funded or paid for out-of-pocket. You and your care recipient may choose to use more than one of these options at a time to ensure everyone’s needs are met.
For all types of support, consider your care recipient’s needs, their level of independence, finances, transportation requirements, and your needs as a caregiver when determining the services needed.
Support Options
No Help
You and your care recipient may choose not to seek additional support. This is always an option to start with.
Alzheimer’s Association or Society
Your local chapter can help you and your care recipient access services, resources, programs, events, research, volunteer and advocacy opportunities, and more. Use these links to find resources in your area:
Area Agency On Aging, Or Aging & Disability Resource Center
An Area Agency on Aging (U.S.) or Disability/Independent Living Resource Center (Canada) helps older adults or persons with disabilities find resources and services that support them to remain in their homes and live as independently as possible. Use these links below to find your local agency or resource center:
- Eldercare Locator (US)
- The Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging (UPAAA) helps to advocate for and provide services to older adults residing in the Upper Peninsula so they can lead independent, meaningful and dignified lives in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Visit the UPCAP homepage for additional information on the UPAAA upcap.org
- Canadian Disability Resources Society
- Searching on the computer: “Area Agency on Aging + [City Name]” or
“Independent Living Resource Center + [City Name]” or “Disability Resource
Center [City Name]”
Family & Friend Support
Your care recipient may be able to access support from their friends and family for some of their care needs. When contacting people, consider their relationship to your care recipient, your care recipient’s needs, time needed to address needs, and level of independence. It can be helpful to ask for something specific, like “Can you come tomorrow at 10am and take Jane for a walk?”
Home Safety Assessment Or Therapy
Your care recipient’s healthcare provider may recommend therapies, like occupational, speech, or physical therapy. As your care recipient’s needs and abilities change, they may require additional equipment, devices, adaptations, and/or safety precautions added to their homes. An occupational therapist can assess and recommend important changes to the home, ensuring greater safety. Talk to your care recipient’s doctor about getting a referral.
Home Health Care
These services provide professional medical assistance or therapy to your care recipient, usually prescribed by a doctor. It may also be offered to people with health issues that prevent them from traveling outside the home to access medical care. Examples of services include:
- Nursing care
- Therapies (for example, occupational therapy)
- Administering medications or injections
- Wound care
- Monitoring (for example, after a recent medication change)
Home Care
These services provide non-clinical help to your care recipient living at home. Examples of services include:
- Transportation to appointments
- Meal preparation
- Companionship
- Cleaning
- Medication reminders (but not administering medications)
- Personal care, like bathing or dressing
Adult Day Programs
These provide an opportunity for your care recipient to engage in social activities and provide caregivers a break. It may also be important to ask whether people with dementia take part in separate activities or with others without dementia. Services may vary depending on the center you choose, and may include:
- Therapies, like physical therapy
- Activities, like art or music
- Personal care, like bathing or hair styling
- Health services, like administering medications or medical exams
- Counseling
Respite Care
Respite care can happen in the home, as an adult day program, or as a temporary stay in a long-term care community. Caregivers can take a break, run errands, go to appointments, or engage in meaningful activities knowing their care recipient is safe and cared for by a trusted person. It may also be important to make a plan in case of an emergency or unexpected situation.
Assisted Living
If your care recipient has mild-moderate dementia, an assisted living facility may work well. However, as the disease progresses, they may require a higher level of care like memory care or nursing home/long-term care. Every facility will be different, but examples of services provided include:
- Help with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and grooming
- Transportation
- Cleaning & laundry
- Meals
- Medication management
- Life enrichment activities
Memory Care
Memory care is similar to assisted living in terms of services offered, with more features catered to people with dementia. Some assisted living facilities have units dedicated to memory care. Every facility will be different, but examples of dementia-specific features include:
- Building features to help with orientation and reduce confusion, like colored doors, outdoor gardens
- Additional building safety features, like locked exits to manage wandering •Special therapies, like music, art, and reminiscence therapy
- Specialized staff training & 24-hour supervision
Nursing Home or Long-Term Care
These facilities provide 24-hour care and medical treatment, as well as more nursing and personal care than what is offered in assisted living. This is an option when a person’s dementia has progressed and/or has higher care needs than can be addressed living at home or in another facility.
Your care recipient may take time to adjust to these services, especially if they involve new people or places.
