Resources for caregivers

Where to find support

You don’t have to navigate this alone. The organizations below are here to provide information, guidance and support when you need it.

Memory Exam is not affiliated with these organizations and does not receive compensation for listing them.

A support group of four adults in their fifties and sixties laughing together in a sunlit community room
Taking time to care for yourself, alone or in the company of others, is part of caring for someone else.

National organizations

  • Alzheimer's Association. Runs a 24-hour helpline at 1-800-272-3900, staffed by people who can talk through a situation at any time. They also list local chapters and support groups.
  • National Institute on Aging. Plain-language information from the National Institutes of Health, without any commercial interest.
  • Eldercare Locator. A public service connecting you to services in your own area, including respite care and transport.
A Black man in his fifties arriving at a front door with a plant in hand
You can be a source of strength for a loved one without having all the answers.

In San Diego, California

We are based in San Diego, so we know these better than most.

Support groups can be more helpful than you expect

Many people resist them, and then find them useful.

The value is often less about the information and more about being with people who understand what you’re going through. You can speak honestly without having to explain or worry about shocking anyone. Most communities offer both in-person and online groups, and the national organizations above can help you find one near you.

A Latina woman in her fifties and her father in his seventies listening to a pharmacist pointing something out on a box
Caregiving is a journey. You deserve support along the way, too.

When to get help right away

Some situations need more immediate attention than a support group can provide.

Sudden confusion that develops over hours or days should be evaluated promptly rather than waiting for a routine appointment. The same is true after a fall with a head injury or any sudden change in alertness. If someone is in immediate danger, call your local emergency number.

And remember to pay attention to your own wellbeing, too. If you are feeling overwhelmed, persistently low or unable to cope, talk with your doctor. Caregiver depression is common and treatable, and you deserve support as well.

Where to go next

If this is new for you, these guides offer a thoughtful place to begin.

Worried about a parent's memory covers the first steps, and caring for a loved one covers what to put in place early.

A couple in their seventies gardening together and laughing i
You don't need perfect words to let someone know you're there for them.