City of Maricopa Community Center - Dementia and Alzheimer's Support Groups

As part of their senior programming, the City of Maricopa Community Center hosts Care giver's dementia or Alzheimer's Support groups the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. (free).

A safe, supportive environment where you can share your experiences and encourage other caregivers in their journey.

Check the City of Maricopa Community/Senior Center senior programming schedule on this website to confirm specific events and times.

National Institue on Aging (NIH) - The Caregiver's Handbook

A guide to getting started, finding support, and taking care of yourself.

“There are only four kinds of people in the world — those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” Rosalynn Carter

"This guide is for anyone who provides care for family members or friends who need help with daily living. It focuses on the needs of older adults who require care because of a serious health condition or disability, but it could also apply to other situations in which caregiving is needed. Included are tips to help you as a caregiver and ways to get support, as well as guidance on how to take care of yourself . The worksheets at the end of this guide provide questions to help coordinate care and checklists to keep track of your caregiving responsibilities and needs . Additionally, each chapter includes caregiving resources that can provide further information and support."

Click the link below to access the Handbook.

Arizona Department of Economic Security - Family Caregiver Support

Family Caregivers provide most of the assistance that enables older Arizonans and those with disabilities to live independently in their homes and communities. Caregivers can also include grandparent raising grandchildren.

What is the Family Caregiver Support Program?

The program offers five direct services to Caregivers that best meet the range of their needs, including:

• Information about available services.
• Assistance in gaining access to supportive services.
• Individual counseling, organization of support groups, and training to assist caregivers in making decisions and solving problems relating to their roles.
• Respite care to enable caregivers to be temporarily relieved from their caregiving responsibilities.
• Supplemental services, on a limited basis, to complement the care provided by caregivers.

Alzheimer's Association -Build an Action Plan with ALZNavigator

"Whether you're a caregiver, a person living with dementia, or someone concerned about memory loss, find the support you need with ALZNavigator™. Just answer a few questions about your situation and ALZNavigator will guide you to the resources and tools you need today and throughout each step of the disease — all in one place."

What you can do with ALZNavigator -

• Learn what to expect and how to prepare for the future.
• Get connected with local resources and find support.
• Gain the confidence to live well through every stage of the disease.

For more information on the ALZNavigator, check the following site.

Arizona Caregiver Coalition

Welcome to the Arizona Caregiver Coalition

You may only consider yourself a wife, husband, daughter, son or grandchild, but if you are caring for a loved one who is aging, a child dealing with a chronic condition or living with a disability, then you are a caregiver too. The Arizona Caregiver Coalition is unique. Our sole purpose is to support caregivers and their families. We offer support and help finding access to information, assistance, new ideas and helpful options for you and your loved one.

Helping from far away

From Today's Caregiver:

"Because Americans have become such a transient culture, adult children are now finding themselves having to deal with an ever-growing crisis: taking on the new-found role as long-distance caregiver."

"According to AARP, the typical annual total is $7,242. On average, family caregivers are spending 26% of their income on caregiving activities. Along with the financial costs, there’s also the cost of time. About 80% of all long-distance caregivers are employed, and of this, at least 44% of them have had to rearrange their work schedules, with the other 36% of them having to miss an average of 20 hours of work each month in order to conduct caregiving duties."

For more information on remote caregiving, check the following link.

Resources for Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregivers

AFA provides a wide variety of resources for Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers. Whether you are just starting out on your journey with Alzheimer’s or dementia, or have been on the journey for a while, we are here for you. No one is alone on their journey.

The importance of resources for Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers.

A strong support system is essential for an Alzheimer’s caregiver. AFA was founded by a family caregiver to be a resource for caregivers and a place they can turn to for help, guidance and support in their time of need. It is vital for caregivers to be supported and equipped to give their loved ones the best care possible.

AFA offers a number of different resources for Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers, including:

AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline

AFA’s Helpline is available 7 days a week. Alzheimer’s and dementia don’t take a day off, so neither do we.

Our Helpline is staffed entirely by licensed, dementia-trained social workers because we understand that when you need help, you want a qualified professional on the other end of the line.

We take calls, texts, or chats in 90+ languages to help those in need.

Caring for Caregivers - An Essential Guide for Supporting Caregivers

This excellent handbook is provided by Neighbors Who Care in Sun Lakes. This 30-year-old volunteer organization has been providing the residents of Sun Lakes with a comprehensive suite of senior services.

Use the below link and download this essential guide for supporting caregivers:

To find out more about Neighbors Who Care, check this link: Neighbors Who Care | Helping Seniors Remain Independent

To learn more about their annual Aging Made Easier event check this link: Aging Made Easier Conference | Neighbors Who Care

This FREE event includes amazing speakers and senior services vendors. The event will be held:

Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Sun Lakes

AARP - 5 Ways Technology Can Make Life Easier for Caregivers of Dementia Patients

Wearables, smart homes and other solutions may help, though one size doesn’t fit all

Everyday technology that people use around the house — including doorbell cameras, smart speakers and wrist-worn trackers — can help those suffering from cognitive decline. The tech may ease the burden on caregivers, too.

“Every family caregiver’s number one priority is their loved one’s safety,” says Jennifer Reeder, director of educational and social services for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. “And this is where technology can play an important and helpful role, especially if the caregiver and their family member who is living with dementia don’t reside in the same home.”

No solution works for all Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers.

“Dementia-related illnesses affect everyone differently,” Reeder says.

This article from AARP helps to explain the ways that technology can be useful when caring for patients with dementia.

AARP - Caregiver's Guide to Smart Home Technology

Technology today can offer caregivers oversight into the lives of aging loved ones without being intrusive. The devices that can help put together the big picture of a loved one’s health and well-being aren’t a substitute for interaction. But they can help an older adult remain independent longer.

CDC - Caregiving

Caregiving -

There are steps you can take to help you navigate caregiving for a person with Alzheimer’s Disease or a related Dementia. Access helpful resources and learn more about Caregiving.

What to know -

• Family members or friends often become caregivers for adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
• While caregiving can be rewarding, it can also be hard on the caregiver's health.
• Over half of family caregivers provide care for four years or more.
• There are ways to care for yourself while caring for others.

For more information on caregiving from the Center for Disease Control check the link below.

National Institute on Aging (NIH) - Alzheimer's Caregiving

Alzheimer’s caregiving

Caregiving is an important job, and caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease comes with unique challenges. Find tips for responding to changes in communication and behavior, providing everyday care, and finding help when needed.

Related topics: Alzheimer's and relationships, Alzheimer's changes in behavior and communication, Caregiving, Legal and financial planning, Safety

For more information from the NIH on Alzheimer's click the link below.

AARP - Ride-Hailing App Adds Feature for Caregivers

Uber app will let caregivers be part of three-way talk with driver, help bill insurer if covered.

Caregivers face an especially rough road when navigating ride-hailing services designed for able-bodied people familiar with technology.

Organizing a Lyft or Uber ride on somebody else’s behalf requires communicating with the driver through your app and keeping in touch with the passenger separately. Getting insurance to cover those costs can also be a bumpy ride.

This AARP article explains how new technology can help caregivers when using ride-hailing transportation for their care recipients.