A Guide to Caregiver Stress Management

If you’re a caregiver feeling the weight of it all, you’re not imagining it—and you’re not alone. Let’s walk through the five most common stressors caregivers face and break down some simple ways to lighten the load.

Stressor #1: Managing Cost (42%)

One of the biggest burdens Alzheimer’s caregivers face is the financial toll of long-term care. In fact, 42% of caregivers name cost as a major source of stress.

Caregiving isn’t just emotionally exhausting—it’s expensive. Between medical appointments, medications, mobility aids, home modifications, respite care, and sometimes even full-time memory care facilities, expenses add up fast.

Many caregivers also face indirect costs, like cutting back on work hours or even leaving their jobs altogether to provide care. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, caregiving families collectively provided over 18.4 billion hours of unpaid care last year alone. When caregiving consumes your time and income without additional support, financial stress can snowball quickly.

What You Can Do

While you can’t erase the costs of Alzheimer’s care, you can take proactive steps to make the financial side of caregiving a little more manageable:

Get Clear on Benefits and Coverage: Investigate whether your loved one qualifies for Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits, or local government assistance programs. Sometimes, simply understanding what’s available can make a huge difference.
Consult a Financial Planner: A specialist in elder care planning can help you structure assets, plan for long-term costs, and maximize government aid programs.
Don’t Be Afraid to Fundraise: Crowdfunding for medical expenses is much more common (and more successful) than you might think. Friends, family, and community organizations often want to help—you just have to give them a way.
Budget for Professional Support: While hiring outside help (like home health aides) seems costly up front, it can sometimes save money over time by reducing hospitalizations or delaying the need for full-time residential care.

Most importantly, remember: asking for help isn’t a failure—it’s smart caregiving.

Key Resources for Cost Management

BenefitsCheckUp® by NCOA: Helps older adults find financial assistance programs they qualify for.
Alzheimer’s Association – Financial and Legal Planning: Offers guides and tips specific to Alzheimer’s financial planning.
Medicare.gov – Alzheimer’s Coverage Information: Understand what Alzheimer’s care services are covered under Medicare.

Stressor #2: Coordinating Care (36%)

When you’re a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s, you quickly realize that care isn’t one thing—it’s a thousand little things, and they all have to fit together.

Coordinating care means managing a complex web of:

Primary Care Doctors
Neurologists
Occupational and Physical Therapists
Home Health Aides
Pharmacies
Insurance Companies
Social Workers

And that’s not even counting things like transportation services, adult day programs, or respite care providers. Nearly 36% of caregivers report that juggling all these moving parts is one of their greatest sources of stress, according to the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures Report.

The system isn’t built to be simple. Most health care providers don’t automatically share information across systems, and it’s often left to family members to connect the dots. Whether it’s scheduling appointments, transferring records, or making sure everyone is on the same page, caregivers need to do it all. Exhausting, right?

What You Can Do

The key to coordinating Alzheimer’s care without burning out is building systems early and streamlining communication wherever you can. Here’s how:

Designate a “Primary Communicator”: Pick one family member (or close friend) to serve as the main point of contact for doctors, case managers, and care providers. This person should update the rest of the family regularly but handle most of the day-to-day communication.
Create a Master Care Calendar: Use a shared Google Calendar or a caregiving-specific app. Log all appointments, medication schedules, and important contacts in one accessible place.
Use a Care Coordinator When Possible: Some hospitals and insurance companies offer care managers or dementia navigators—specialists who can help coordinate between different doctors and services. Ask your loved one’s primary doctor if this is available.
Be Proactive About Record Sharing: Request copies of all medical records after appointments and treatments. Keep a physical or digital binder organized by date and provider to quickly reference later.
Lean on Technology: Secure messaging apps, telehealth appointments, and virtual health records portals can dramatically reduce unnecessary phone calls and office visits.

Remember, you’re not just coordinating health care—you’re coordinating a life. Give yourself grace for the complexity of the job.

Key Resources for Coordination Streamlining

Alzheimer’s Association Care Planning Resources: Tools and templates for better care planning and communication.
AlzNavigator™: A free online tool that helps caregivers create a customized action plan for Alzheimer’s care.
Lotsa Helping Hands: A free tool to organize care calendars, volunteer helpers, and task lists.

Are you having trouble coordinating care with your family? Our guide, “A Family’s Guide to Alzheimer’s,” can help you make sense of things.

Stressor #3: Securing Appointments (35%)

Even in a best-case scenario, the American health care system isn’t built for speed, especially when it comes to cognitive health. 35% of caregivers say that simply getting an appointment with the right specialist is a major stressor.

Common challenges include:

Long Wait Times: In some areas, it can take months to see a neurologist or memory care specialist.
Specialist Shortages: Geriatricians, neurologists, and dementia care experts are in short supply nationwide.
Complicated Referrals: Primary care doctors may not always know the best specialist for Alzheimer’s-related issues, causing delays.
Transportation Barriers: Many patients with Alzheimer’s can’t safely drive themselves to appointments, meaning families have to coordinate rides, time off work, and caregiving schedules.

While all this is going on, families are often stuck in limbo, anxiously waiting.

What You Can Do

Securing timely appointments requires persistence and a few smart strategies:

Book Follow-Ups Early: Before leaving any appointment, schedule the next one right then and there. Waiting even a few days to call back can mean months-long delays.
Ask for Waitlists: Always ask to be placed on a cancellation list. Offices will often call if an earlier slot opens up.
Be Clear About Urgency: If your loved one is experiencing rapid cognitive decline, worsening confusion, aggression, or safety concerns, say so. Some offices prioritize urgent dementia cases if they’re flagged.
Expand Your Search Radius: If local specialists are booked up, consider looking 30–60 miles outside your area, especially for initial diagnostic appointments. Some academic hospitals have shorter wait times.
Consider Telehealth Options: Many neurologists and geriatricians now offer virtual consultations for dementia care, at least for initial assessments and medication management.
Leverage Your Primary Doctor: PCPs who advocate for their patients often have better success expediting specialist referrals. Don’t hesitate to ask your loved one’s primary doctor to personally call a specialist’s office if needed.

Most importantly, don’t give up. Persistence often makes the difference between a six-month wait and a six-week wait.

Key Resources for Securing Appointments

Alzheimer’s Association Helpline (24/7): Trained staff can help connect families with local dementia specialists and clinics.
Memory Care Centers Directory (U.S. News & World Report): Find highly rated hospitals specializing in geriatrics and neurology.
Telehealth Options for Dementia Care (Alzheimer’s.gov)

Stressor #4: Finding Time for a Break (35%)

Caregivers are the backbone of Alzheimer’s support—and yet, 35% report that getting time away is one of their greatest struggles.

Alzheimer’s isn’t a 9-to-5 condition; caregiving demands often stretch from early morning confusion to late-night wandering, leaving little to no downtime. The logistical challenges don’t help, either. Many caregivers don’t have a deep network of family or friends willing—or able—to step in and offer relief. Even when professional respite care services like home health aides or adult day centers are available, the cost can make them feel out of reach for families already juggling significant financial pressure.

Taking time for yourself isn’t a luxury—it’s an essential part of staying strong enough to keep caring. It’s about survival, and about making sure you can continue showing up fully for the people who depend on you.

What You Can Do

If you’re going to help others, you need to start by helping yourself. Here’s how you can make it happen:

Schedule Respite Into the Plan: Just like doctor’s appointments, put self-care into the calendar. Plan for a few hours, a full day, or even a weekend of respite every month if possible.
Tap Into Adult Day Programs: These centers provide supervised care during the day, offering structured activities for people with Alzheimer’s and a much-needed breather for caregivers.
Explore Volunteer-Based Respite Programs: Some nonprofits offer free or low-cost respite services through trained volunteers.
Build a “Relief Team”: It’s not just about professional help. Siblings, adult children, neighbors, and close friends can all rotate shifts. Even a two-hour window can give you enough time to breathe.
Start Small: If full days off feel impossible, start with micro-breaks: a 30-minute walk outside, an uninterrupted nap, or a solo grocery store run while someone else supervises.

Most importantly, reframe the idea of a break: You’re not abandoning your loved one—you’re fortifying yourself so you can show up better, stronger, and more patiently tomorrow.

Key Resources for Mental Health

Alzheimer’s Association Respite Care Resources: Information on different types of respite services and how to find them near you.
ARCH National Respite Network: A locator tool to find community-based respite programs across the United States.
Family Caregiver Alliance: Offers lists of local services, support groups, and respite options customized by state.

Stressor #5: Getting the Right Help (32%)

Finding the right doctors and specialists can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack: 32% of caregivers say this is one of their biggest sources of stress.

Alzheimer’s care often requires more than a primary care physician. You might need neurologists, geriatricians, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, and social workers. Each professional plays a different role, and not all are equally skilled in dementia care. When you’re already overwhelmed managing daily caregiving tasks, taking on the “project” of vetting specialists, scheduling evaluations, and coordinating medical opinions can feel downright impossible.

On top of that, wait times to see specialists are often long. Some regions have major shortages in geriatricians and neurologists who are trained to work specifically with dementia patients. Even when you find a provider, not all doctors prioritize caregiver involvement in treatment planning, which can leave you feeling sidelined or unsupported.

Alzheimer’s care isn’t just about treatment—it’s about building the right team. Building that team takes persistence, information, and support.

What You Can Do

Start by asking your loved one’s primary care doctor for referrals. Make it clear that you’re looking for providers who have specific experience with Alzheimer’s disease or cognitive decline.

If you’re met with vague recommendations, don’t hesitate to press for names of specialists who truly understand the unique needs of dementia patients.

When vetting a new provider, don’t be afraid to ask direct questions:

How often do you treat patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia?
What is your approach to involving family caregivers in care planning?
How do you coordinate with other specialists?
What support resources do you recommend for families?

Finally, lean on community networks. Local Alzheimer’s Association chapters, Area Agencies on Aging, and caregiver support groups often have up-to-date, experience-based recommendations for trusted doctors and facilities.

Key Resources for Finding Doctors

Alzheimer’s Association Community Resource Finder: A free, searchable database where you can find dementia specialists, support services, and community programs near you.
National Institute on Aging: Offers advice on finding doctors and specialists who understand cognitive decline and memory issues.
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA): Local organizations that can help connect you to aging-focused medical professionals, social services, and dementia-specific programs.

Other Caregiver Stress Management Tips

While addressing the top five stressors can make a major difference, caregiver stress often comes from dozens of small, cumulative pressures. That’s why building sustainable, everyday habits is so important for caregiver burnout prevention.

Here are a few broader strategies for managing caregiver stress over the long haul:

Prioritize Self-Care

You can’t pour from an empty cup. Prioritize your own physical health by scheduling regular checkups, eating balanced meals, and finding time for physical activity, even if it’s just a walk around the block.

Create a Backup Plan

Build a list of friends, family members, or local respite services you can call when you need a break. Having backup options in place removes a huge mental burden, even if you don’t use them right away.

No one caregiver can do everything perfectly. Accept that some days will be harder than others. Focus on what matters most: safety, love, and dignity for your loved one. Let go of the idea that you must manage everything alone or without mistakes.

Learn to Say “Yes” to Help

When someone offers to run errands, bring over a meal, or sit with your loved one, say yes—even if you feel like you “should” handle it yourself. Accepting help is a strength, not a weakness.

Stay Connected

Isolation is one of the fastest paths to caregiver burnout. Make time for friends, hobbies, and connections outside the caregiving world. Even 30 minutes spent chatting with a friend or reading a favorite book is one of the best methods of emotional support for caregivers.

Caregiving is a marathon, not a sprint. By setting yourself up with systems of support, you give both yourself and your loved one the best possible chance at a healthier, happier journey.

Supporting Caregivers, Researchers, and Beyond

Caregivers are the glue holding families together in the face of one of life’s hardest challenges. Whether it’s through research, technology innovation, or connecting families with real-world resources, Daugherty is committed to making the Alzheimer’s journey a little lighter.

If you’re ready to explore how you can strengthen your caregiving support system—or if you’re looking for ways to contribute to a future where Alzheimer’s care is smarter, more compassionate, and more accessible—start by exploring the resources for family caregivers and initiatives we offer.

Together, we can support caregivers, advance research, and bring real hope to the Alzheimer’s community.

Caring for the Caregivers: A Guide to Caregiver Stress Management

Stressor #1: Managing Cost (42%)

What You Can Do

Key Resources for Cost Management

Stressor #2: Coordinating Care (36%)

What You Can Do

Key Resources for Coordination Streamlining

Stressor #3: Securing Appointments (35%)

What You Can Do

Key Resources for Securing Appointments

Stressor #4: Finding Time for a Break (35%)

What You Can Do

Key Resources for Mental Health

Stressor #5: Getting the Right Help (32%)

What You Can Do

Key Resources for Finding Doctors

Other Caregiver Stress Management Tips

Prioritize Self-Care

Create a Backup Plan

Learn to Say “Yes” to Help

Stay Connected

Supporting Caregivers, Researchers, and Beyond

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