Learning to take care of a parent experiencing dementia can be challenging, but there are several training programs and great resources that can support you through the transition. Available options for gathering information include workshops, books and training sessions which are led by a certified organization.
There are several online programs, including essentiALZ®, an individual certification from the Alzheimer’s Association, that can walk you through important facts about caregiving via the web. These types of programs are suited for family members and health care professionals alike, so both groups can benefit from this type of training. There are two levels of training you can choose from with essentiALZ: one is for dementia-related behavior and the other is for advanced care, which can be purchased online.
The organization also provides free e-learning workshops online that cover many aspects of senior care, including early detection, legal and financial planning and all three stages of Alzheimer’s.
The American Red Cross also provides plenty of practical information about what to do in the event of an emergency with a senior, how to create a network of support for your mother or father, and the best ways to ensure your parent’s health and wellness.
If you would rather have a hands-on copy of these facts and figures, the Alzheimer’s Association sells a well-established publication on the subject, the “Caregiver Notebook,” which was penned by actual caregivers and includes places where you can write your own notes.
Another popular option you may want to purchase is the Coach Broyles’ playbook for Alzheimer’s Caregivers. Broyles is the former athletic director for the University of Arkansas and wrote the book after spending time caring for his wife. In true sports fashion, the publication is written mainly in football playbook-style and is easy to understand.
The Alzheimer’s Association also noted a well-received DVD series entitled, “The Savvy Caregiver,” which is designed and suited for families. These DVDs are meant to be watched once a week over the course of a month, so these electronic devices can be used in your own free time. This is a well-respected recording that has even been used in some university research for caregiving that was published in the journal The Gerontologist and the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
If your family is faced with a dementia diagnosis or you are struggling to take care of your senior mother, it is important to know that you don’t have to do it alone. There are plenty of tools and support groups available that can give you insight into skills and sensible information on how to move forward.
Contact our Aegis Living professionals for more recommendations on dementia training for family caregivers.
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.