Support for Families Navigating Dementia
Guidance for Families Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia
🆘 Caregiver Burnout & Self-Care
Learn how to recognize burnout signs and protect your wellbeing
Recognizing Caregiver Burnout
Physical exhaustion, emotional numbness, resentment, or health problems. Learn the warning signs and take action before you crash.
Emergency Self-Care Strategies
When you're at the breaking point and need immediate relief. Quick strategies to get through crisis moments and prevent collapse.
Setting Boundaries with Family
How to say no to unrealistic expectations, protect your time, and communicate your limits without guilt.
Maintaining Your Own Health
Physical and mental health strategies for long-term caregiving sustainability. Doctor visits, exercise, and mental health care.
Caregiver Guilt Management
Overcoming guilt about taking breaks, feeling frustrated, or not being "perfect." Permission to be human during this impossible job.
When to Consider Professional Help
Recognizing when you need therapy, counseling, or medical intervention for caregiver stress, depression, or anxiety.
👨👩👧👦 Family Coordination & Support
Get your family involved and sharing caregiving responsibilities
Getting Reluctant Family Members Involved
"It's all on me while siblings live their lives." Strategies for getting family to step up and share caregiving responsibilities.
Dealing with Critical Family Members
Handling relatives who criticize your caregiving but don't help. Setting boundaries with judgmental family members.
Family Meeting Facilitation
How to organize productive family discussions about care plans, responsibilities, and decision-making without drama.
Assigning Family Caregiving Roles
Divide responsibilities fairly based on skills, availability, and proximity. Create accountability without conflict.
Long-Distance Family Support
How distant family members can contribute meaningfully to care even when they can't be physically present.
Family Communication Systems
Apps, groups, and communication strategies to keep everyone informed about care status and coordinate assistance.
⏰ Respite Care & Professional Help
Find temporary care solutions and professional support
Emergency Respite Care
When you need immediate relief due to illness, crisis, or complete exhaustion. Last-minute care options and emergency support.
Regular Respite Care Options
Adult day programs, in-home companions, and scheduled relief care. Building sustainable break time into your routine.
Hiring In-Home Care
Vetting caregivers, setting expectations, managing costs, and making the transition smooth for your loved one.
Adult Day Program Navigation
Finding quality day programs, preparing your loved one, and using this time effectively for your own needs.
Overcoming Respite Guilt
"I feel guilty leaving them with strangers." Permission to take breaks and understanding why respite helps everyone.
Professional Caregiver Counseling
Individual therapy specializing in caregiver stress, grief, and family dynamics during dementia caregiving.
🤝 Support Groups & Community Resources
Connect with other caregivers and find community support
Local Greater Lansing Support Groups
In-person caregiver support groups in the Greater Lansing area. Meeting times, locations, and what to expect from your first visit.
Online Caregiver Communities
24/7 support from other caregivers who understand. Facebook groups, forums, and virtual support meetings.
Caregiver Support Groups for Spouses
Specialized support for those caring for a spouse or partner. Unique challenges of marital caregiving relationships.
Adult Children Caregiver Groups
Support specifically for adult children caring for parents. Navigate role reversals and family dynamics with others in similar situations.
Faith-Based Caregiver Support
Church and religious community support for caregivers. Spiritual counseling and faith-based respite assistance.
Professional Caregiver Counseling
Individual therapy specializing in caregiver stress, grief, and family dynamics during dementia caregiving.
👶 Children, Grandchildren & Extended Family
Help family members of all ages understand and cope with dementia
Explaining Dementia to Young Children
Age-appropriate explanations for why grandparent is changing. Helping children understand and maintain connections safely.
Teenagers & Dementia Caregiving
Help adolescents cope with grandparent's changes while protecting them from inappropriate caregiving responsibilities.
Maintaining Grandparent-Grandchild Bonds
Meaningful activities and connections that work despite cognitive decline. Creating positive memories while protecting children.
When to Limit Children's Exposure
Protecting children from frightening or inappropriate behaviors while maintaining family relationships.
Extended Family Education
Helping cousins, aunts, uncles understand dementia and how to interact appropriately during family gatherings.
Holiday & Family Event Management
Strategies for family gatherings, holiday celebrations, and special events that work for everyone's needs and limitations.
💰 Financial Coordination & Practical Help
Coordinate family finances and practical caregiving logistics
Family Financial Contribution Discussions
How to ask family members to contribute financially to care costs. Fair distribution of financial responsibilities.
Coordinating Care Expenses
Tracking costs, sharing expenses among family members, and transparent financial management for care needs.
Power of Attorney & Family Conflicts
Managing family disagreements about financial and medical decisions when you hold power of attorney.
Family Care Coordination Logistics
Scheduling visits, coordinating appointments, and managing practical aspects of shared family caregiving.
Inheritance & Estate Planning Discussions
Navigating sensitive conversations about estate planning and inheritance when dementia is involved.
Emergency Family Contact Systems
Who to call first in medical emergencies, decision-making hierarchies, and crisis communication protocols.
Family Support FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm the only one doing anything
When you're shouldering all caregiving responsibilities while other family members live their lives normally.
I'm having a breakdown
When caregiver stress reaches the crisis point. Immediate strategies and emergency support options.
Siblings fighting over care decisions
Managing disagreements about care approaches, living situations, and treatment decisions among family members.
Family members who criticize but don't help
Dealing with relatives who have opinions about your caregiving but won't contribute to solutions.
I feel guilty taking breaks
Overcoming caregiver guilt about respite care and personal time.
Can't afford professional help
Finding affordable respite options, financial assistance programs, and creative solutions.