About Caregivers
care-giv-er /'ker,giver
1. Someone who gives care;
2. Someone responsible for making decisions on another's behalf.
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A daughter who lives near her Dad with dementia;
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A sister caring with her brother-in-law for her sister;
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A wife with a husband in memory care;
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A son 1000 miles away supporting his mom who lives with his dad with dementia;
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Someone navigating their Loved One's diagnosis who doesn't yet know their role.
Am I A Caregiver?
The Helm uses the term caregiver a lot. This site is for caregivers. The stories are by caregivers. You might be wondering who is a caregiver and if you are one.
We tend to think if you made your way to this website, if you care about someone with dementia, you are a caregiver. But we realize you might not call yourself a caregiver. We realize your Loved One might have just been diagnosed or not yet diagnosed, and you are focused on them, not what role you will play. You might still be figuring what role different members of your family will play in caring for your Loved One. You might change roles over the course of your Loved One's illness.
We don't want to force an identify on you -- just know that when we are talking about caregivers, we mean people who have been there. And, if you are there now, then this site is for you.
Meet Some Caregivers
There's no one way to be a caregiver. Meet a few caregivers we know, and learn a bit about their caregiving roles and their Loved Ones.
Caregiver
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Age: Mid-40s
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Caregiving Role: Lives 10 minutes away; caring with her mom and siblings; takes the leads on finances, legal, and insurance
Loved One
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Relationship: Dad
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Age: Mid-70s
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Status: Diagnosed with Alzheimer's 5 years ago
Anita
Daughter
Regional Vice President
Master Problem Solver
Caregiver
Caregiver
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Age: Early 50s
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Caregiving Role: Primary caregiver; lived with until recently
Loved One
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Relationship: Husband
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Age: Early 50s
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Status: Diagnosed with Alzheimer's 4 years ago; recently moved to Memory Care
Anne
Wife
Marketing Executive
Mom
Caregiver
Caregiver
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Age: Early 20s
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Caregiving Role: Lives 20 minutes away; caring with her dad; visits several times a week
Loved One
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Relationship: Grandma
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Age: Mid-80s
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Status: Diagnosed with Alzheimer's 7 years ago; lives in Memory Care
Vanessa
Granddaughter
Daughter
College Student
Caregiver
Caregiver
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Age: Mid-40s
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Caregiving Role: Professional paid to provide support in Memory Care
Loved One
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Relationship: Patients
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Age: Mid-60s to mid-80s
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Status: Living in Memory Care
Theresa
Nurse
Musician
Mom
Caregiver
Caregiver
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Age: Late 40s
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Caregiving Role: Lives several hours away; regularly visits for a few days at a time; caring with her brother-in-law
Loved One
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Relationship: Sister
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Age: Early 50s
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Status: Diagnosed with Alzheimer's 2 years ago
Heidi
Wife
Journalist
Mom
Caregiver
Caregiver
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Age: Early 30s
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Caregiving Role Lives 1000 miles away; helps mom by doing research, calling into appointments, and making decisions
Loved One
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Relationship: Dad
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Age: Mid-60s
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Status: Diagnosed 6 years ago; lives at home
Daniel
Son
Engineer
Master Researcher
Caregiver
Caregiver
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Age: Late 50s
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Caregiving Role: Primary caregiver; lives with mom
Loved One
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Relationship: Mom
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Age: Mid-80s
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Status: Diagnosed 2 years ago; lives with daughter
Christine
Daughter
Physician
Mom
Caregiver
Caregiver
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Age: Early 20s
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Caregiving Role: Lives an hour away; caring with siblings and mom
Loved One
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Relationship: Dad
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Age: Late 50s
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Status: Diagnosed 1 year ago; lives at home
Jason
Son
Recent Graduate
Writer
Caregiver
Caregiver
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Age: Late 60s
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Caregiving Role: Primary caregiver; lives with Loved One
Loved One
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Relationship: Husband
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Age: Early 70s
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Status: Diagnosed with Alzheimer's 2 years ago
Regina
Wife
Small Business Owner
Mom
Caregiver
Caregiver
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Age: Early 30s
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Caregiving Role Lives 15 minutes away; visits for several hours 5 days a week for activities and companionship
Loved One
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Relationship: Friend's Dad
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Age: Mid-60s
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Status: Diagnosed 3 years ago
Henderson
Friend
Barista
Musician
Caregiver
Ready to learn more? Explore care decisions and learn what worked - and what didn't - for other caregivers.