Caring for a Loved One with Dementia or Alzheimer’s

Caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s is one of the most emotionally demanding caregiving journeys. It requires patience, compassion, and a deep well of grace—for them and for you. 

What Caregivers Need to Know

Letting Go of Who They Were

One of the hardest lessons is learning to:

  • Meet your loved one where they are
  • Let go of expectations
  • Find moments of connection in new ways

A smile, a song, a touch—these still matter.


Understanding the Disease

Dementia is an umbrella term for conditions that affect memory, thinking, and behavior. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form.

As the disease progresses, your loved one may experience:

  • Memory loss and confusion
  • Personality or mood changes
  • Difficulty communicating
  • Disorientation (time, place, people)
  • Changes in sleep, eating, or behavior

👉 Important reminder: These changes are symptoms of the disease, not intentional behavior.

Emotional Realities for Caregivers

Caregivers often grieve while the person is still living—this is called ambiguous loss.

You may feel:

  • Sadness and anticipatory grief
  • Guilt or frustration
  • Loneliness or isolation
  • Exhaustion (physical and emotional

💜 These feelings are normal. They do not make you a bad caregiver.


Practical Caregiving Tips

1. Communicate with Compassion

  • Speak slowly and calmly
  • Use simple sentences
  • Avoid correcting or arguing
  • Validate emotions, even if facts are incorrect

Example:

Instead of “That didn’t happen,” try

“I can see that felt real and upsetting to you.”


2. Create Structure & Routine

  • Consistent daily routines reduce anxiety
  • Familiar environments provide comfort
  • Use calendars, labels, and reminders


3. Focus on Safety

  • Remove tripping hazards
  • Secure medications and cleaning supplies
  • Consider door alarms or GPS trackers
  • Monitor driving ability early


4. Care for the Caregiver

Caregiving without support leads to burnout.

You need:

  • Breaks and respite care
  • Support groups (especially dementia-specific)
  • Regular medical checkups
  • Permission to rest without guilt

Spiritual & Emotional Support


Faith can be a powerful anchor during this journey.

💜 You may not be able to change the disease—but you can choose how you show up with love.

Scripture for Caregivers:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

— Psalm 34:18


When to Ask for Help

It’s time to seek additional support when:

  • You feel overwhelmed or unsafe
  • Your health is declining
  • Behavioral changes escalate
  • You’re experiencing depression or anxiet

Asking for help is not giving up—it’s protecting everyone involved.

A Gentle Reminder 💜

You are not just a caregiver.

You are a daughter, son, spouse, parent, friend.

Your life still has value beyond caregiving.

Closing Encouragement

Caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s is holy work—but it should never cost you your health, identity, or peace.

You deserve support, compassion, and rest—just as much as the person you’re caring for.


I found this video to explain sundowning.  I heard this term from a friend who is currently caring for her mom who has dementia.   Check it out 


https://youtu.be/UrfR3OTOBIo


With grace,

Tee with Grateful Caregiver



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