Posted on November 26th, 2025

While much of the conversation about Alzheimer’s focuses on those diagnosed, there’s another group deeply affected—the caregivers… the spouse who barely sleeps; the adult child balancing work, family, and caregiving; the friend who watches someone they love slowly slip away. Alzheimer’s doesn’t just change the life of the person with the disease—it reshapes the world of everyone around them.

The Hidden Burden of Caregiving

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is often called the 36-hour day because it feels never-ending. Many caregivers experience:

💜 Emotional exhaustion – Grieving a loved one while they’re still physically present.
💜 Social isolation – Friends stop calling, invitations dwindle, and the world moves on while they remain stuck in a cycle of care.
💜 Physical toll – The stress of caregiving increases the risk of chronic illness, depression, and burnout.
💜 Financial strain – Many caregivers leave jobs or reduce hours to provide care, with little outside support.

Despite these challenges, caregivers often feel invisible—left to navigate the hardest role of their lives without the support they need.

How Non-Caregivers Can Make a Difference

If you know someone caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, you may have thought, I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to be a burden. The truth is, small gestures mean everything. Here’s how you can help:

✔ Acknowledge their effort – A simple “You’re doing an incredible job” can mean the world.
✔ Offer specific help – Instead of asking, “Let me know if you need anything,” say, “I can drop off dinner this week. What night works best?”
✔ Give them a break – Offer to sit with their loved one for an hour so they can step away, even just to breathe.
✔ Stay connected – Keep inviting them, even if they say no. Let them know they are still part of their community.
✔ Learn about Alzheimer’s – The more you understand, the better support you can provide.

Building Dementia-Friendly Communities

Alzheimer’s isn’t just a family issue—it’s a community issue. Creating dementia-friendly spaces helps individuals and their caregivers feel seen, supported, and included. This can be as simple as:

🔹 Training local businesses to recognize and assist customers with dementia.
🔹 Encouraging churches, social groups, and community centers to offer dementia-inclusive programming.
🔹 Advocating for better resources and respite care options.

Caregivers Need Us—And We Need Them

Caregivers are the backbone of Alzheimer’s care, yet they often feel forgotten. If we truly want to change the way we see and support Alzheimer’s, we must also change the way we support the people carrying the heaviest load.

Join the Conversation

💬 What’s one small way we can better support caregivers in our communities? Let’s share ideas and build a more compassionate world—together.

📖 Want to dive deeper? My new book Step Into Their World: Making Sense of Alzheimer’s is now available! Learn how to support, connect, and create meaningful moments with those affected by Alzheimer’s.

🔗 Get your copy today: Step Into Their World: Making Sense of Alzheimer’s

#AlzheimersAwareness #CaregiverSupport #DementiaFriendly #EndAlz #TheAlzheimersExperience

Tagging some amazing organizations and advocates working to change the conversation: @AlzheimersAssociation @DementiaFriendlyAmerica @TeepaSnow @AlzAuthors @TheAlzheimersExperience