Dementia caregivers’ toolbox: Strategies for navigating a challenging journey
Caring for someone with dementia can be one of life’s most meaningful—and overwhelming—roles. Every caregiving journey is different, but there are tools and strategies that can help. From emotional support to legal planning, a proactive approach makes walking the road easier.
1. Prioritize your own care
Caregivers often put themselves last. But taking care of yourself is what allows you to keep showing up.
Linda Buscemi, a licensed clinical psychologist, and elbi’s cofounder, shares, “As caregivers, we may often forget to care for ourselves—or at least care for ourselves in ways that are truly helpful and meaningful.”
Self-care is essential to maintaining the stamina and resilience required for this demanding role. Whether it’s a walk, a weekly therapy session, or something creative you enjoy, even small moments can help you avoid burnout. “The most important new skill you may learn is taking care of yourself first,” says Juliet Holt Klinger, elbi’s gerontologist and dementia care advisor.
2. Build your circle of support
No caregiver can or should go it alone. While an ideal scenario might include a team of helpers, nurses, and counselors, Holt Klinger acknowledges that’s not always realistic. Still, caregivers can create their own "village" by rallying family, friends, and professionals to share the load.
Tools designed to assist caregivers with personalized guidance while caregiving, can be game-changing. “elbi is a tool to help you cope with a complex disease,” she explains. Whether getting activity suggestions, providing personalized care suggestions, or simply offering emotional support, resources like this can help caregivers manage the mental load.
3. Plan ahead for legal and financial needs
Caring for someone with dementia isn’t just emotional—it comes with important legal and financial decisions too. “A family law or elder law attorney who can help you with legal planning is an invaluable partner,” says Holt Klinger. Start early with documents like a power of attorney and advanced care directives, so you’re ready when decisions need to be made.
It’s also important to think through financial tradeoffs. Leaving a job to care full-time might feel like the right move, but it comes with long-term impacts. Try to find a balance that protects your family’s future while supporting your loved one today. Taking a measured approach to balancing caregiving with personal and professional responsibilities can help sustain both the caregiver and their family.
4. Care that’s good for the caregiver
As dementia progresses, the relationship you’ve always known starts to shift. That emotional weight is real.
“The relationship you’ve had now feels unidirectional rather than bidirectional,” Buscemi explains. “Realizing how you see the person and what your role was in their life may help reduce strain as their personality changes.”
Sometimes what seems like resistance is actually confusion or memory loss. “You may think they’re being stubborn,” says Buschemi, “but in reality, they may be saying it because they can’t remember how to do something.”
A shift in perspective can help you meet your loved one with more understanding and grace.
5. Reflect—and adjust
Dementia progresses through stages, each requiring new strategies and adaptations. Holt Klinger advises caregivers to anticipate challenges before they arise: “Dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease, progresses in a relatively predictable path. The more that you can prepare for and anticipate challenges with advanced planning, the easier your journey will be.”
Buscemi adds that caregivers benefit from regular self-reflection. “You can’t cope unless you know what you are coping about,” she says. Recognizing and addressing personal triggers can reduce emotional strain as the demands of caregiving increase.
6. Use Tools That Support You
You don’t have to keep all the details in your head. From reminders to personalized care tips, today’s digital tools can make caregiving feel a little lighter.
“Dementia caregiving is a role we may not have expected or wanted,” says Buscemi. “But with tools like elbi, we can adapt and find ways to cope.”
Caregiving is one of the hardest jobs out there, but you don’t have to do it all on your own. With support, thoughtful planning, and small moments of self-care, you can find steadiness in the chaos. And with tools like elbi, you’ll have guidance along the way.
Liz Tenety brings nearly two decades of experience in digital media. A former Washington Post editor and co-founder of Motherly—a well-being brand helping mothers thrive—she now coaches founders through Google’s Startup Labs while supporting female founders. Liz also hosts the Webby Award-winning show, The Motherly Podcast.