Caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia can be an act of deep love—but it can also be exhausting, isolating, and overwhelming. Whether you are helping a spouse, parent, relative, friend, or neighbor, you may be managing countless responsibilities while trying to hold onto your own well-being.
You are not alone. In the United States, an estimated 63 million people provide unpaid care to a family member or friend, according to the latest major study, Caregiving in the U.S. 2025, from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving. Many are supporting an older adult who needs help because of an age-related condition, whether that person lives at home, in assisted living, or in a skilled nursing facility.
Caregiving often lasts for months or years, and the demands can affect every part of life. Compared with people in similar circumstances who are not caregivers, caregivers of people living with dementia are more likely to experience:
- Health and mental health concerns
- Greater reliance on medication for stress or anxiety
- Difficulty finding time to address their own medical needs
- Feelings of isolation from family and friends
- Financial strain
If this sounds familiar, it does not mean you are doing anything wrong. Dementia caregiving is complex, and asking for support is a strength. SeniorCare offers a variety of caregiver support services, including The Savvy Caregiver, a free, evidence-based workshop for family members and friends who are actively caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. This six-week program gives caregivers practical tools, useful information, and an opportunity to connect with others who understand the realities of dementia care. The workshop is offered several times throughout the year on the North Shore. The next six-week session begins on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the Essex Council on Aging. Advance registration is required. To learn more or register, contact Abbie Considine at 978-281-1750.
The Savvy Caregiver program is built around three essential caregiving tasks:
- Managing daily life with the person living with dementia
- Finding and using help with caregiving responsibilities
- Caring for yourself while you care for someone else
Through the workshop, caregivers can learn how to:
- Better understand how dementia affects both the person living with the condition and the caregiver
- Build practical skills for navigating everyday routines and challenges
- Set realistic goals and regain a sense of direction
- Communicate more effectively
- Strengthen family support and resources
- Feel more capable and confident in the caregiving role
- Make time and space for their own well-being
Dementia can create misunderstandings among family members and friends. Others may not fully understand what is happening, may have different opinions about care, or may not recognize how much support the primary caregiver needs.
The Savvy Caregiver program helps caregivers address two common challenges:
- Disagreements: The program helps families better understand dementia and work together in support of the person living with it.
- Getting help: Loved ones may want to help but not know what is needed or how to offer it. Savvy Caregiver participants learn to identify specific caregiving tasks, decide where others can contribute, and clearly communicate what help would be most useful.
No program can remove the challenges of dementia or eliminate every stressful day. But learning new skills can help you feel less alone, more prepared, and more in control.
Savvy caregiving can help reduce the impact of stress, increase feelings of accomplishment, and make it easier to find moments of connection and meaning along the way. Most importantly, the program is designed to help caregivers feel more confident in a role that is often difficult—and always important.
For more information about The Savvy Caregiver or other SeniorCare programs for caregivers, call SeniorCare at 978-281-1750 or visit SeniorCare’s website (http://www.seniorcareinc.org).