Building a Support Circle
Finding Your People & Letting Others Help in Alzheimer’s Care
Alzheimer’s doesn’t just affect the person with the diagnosis — it affects everyone who loves and cares for them. While it’s natural to want to shoulder the responsibility yourself, trying to do it all alone can lead to burnout, isolation, and declining health for both the caregiver and the person with Alzheimer’s.
That’s why building a support circle is essential. Your circle is made up of the people, resources, and services that help you navigate the journey — practically, emotionally, and sometimes financially.
Why You Need a Support Circle
A strong support circle:
Lightens your workload so you can focus on quality moments with your loved one
Brings in different skills and strengths
Offers emotional backup when days feel overwhelming
Helps you avoid caregiver burnout
Makes it easier to respond to emergencies or unexpected changes
Who Belongs in Your Support Circle
Think beyond immediate family. Your circle might include:
Family members – Siblings, adult children, cousins
Friends & neighbors – Those who can drop off meals, run errands, or provide companionship
Healthcare professionals – Neurologists, primary care providers, nurses, therapists
Support groups – In-person or online communities that “get it”
Faith or community leaders – Pastors, rabbis, or local organizations
Hired help – Home health aides, respite care providers, geriatric care managers
Real-Life Story: Meet “Carla”
Carla cared for her husband after his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. At first, she refused most offers of help.
“I thought if I accepted help, it meant I was failing him,” she says.
But when she ended up in the ER with exhaustion, her daughter insisted on making a list of people willing to help.
Now, neighbors take turns mowing the lawn, friends bring over freezer meals, and her brother drives her husband to appointments once a week.
“I didn’t realize people wanted to help me as much as they wanted to help him,” Carla says. “It saved my health and our marriage.”
How to Build Your Circle
Make a List of Needs
Transportation, meals, errands, companionship, medical advocacy, and emotional support
Match People to Tasks
Assign based on availability and skill
Example: A friend who loves to cook can prepare meals; a neighbor who drives can help with appointments
Use Tools to Coordinate
Care calendars, group texts, or apps like Lotsa Helping Hands or CaringBridge
Accept Help Without Guilt
Say “Yes, thank you” instead of “I hate to bother you”
Include Professional Resources
Home health agencies, respite services, Alzheimer’s organizations
Real-Life Story: Meet “Jeff”
Jeff’s mom was diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s, and he lived two hours away.
“I couldn’t be there every day, but I could organize her care,” Jeff says.
He built a small team: a neighbor for daily check-ins, a cousin for grocery runs, and a church friend for weekly laundry. He coordinated everything through a shared Google calendar.
“I may not be there physically all the time, but I’m still in the center of her circle,” Jeff says. “That matters.”
Letting Others Help: Overcoming the Barriers
Many caregivers struggle to accept help because of:
Guilt – Feeling like they should do everything themselves
Control – Worrying others won’t do it “right”
Privacy – Not wanting to share personal details
Fear of burdening others – Assuming people are too busy to help
The truth? Most people want to help — they just don’t know how. Giving them specific tasks removes the guesswork and makes it easier for them to say yes.
Bottom Line
Building a support circle isn’t a luxury — it’s a lifeline. By surrounding yourself with trusted people and resources, you protect your health, preserve your energy, and ensure your loved one gets the care they need.
💬 Need help organizing your Alzheimer’s support circle?
I help families identify the right mix of personal and professional support — and set up systems so everyone knows exactly how to help.
📅 Book your free 10-minute clarity call: https://www.memorytreatmentadvisors.com/schedule
