Alzheimer’s disease and age-related dementia diagnoses have affected millions of American families. Here in Kentucky alone, an estimated 70,000 seniors are living with Alzheimer’s, and that number is projected to grow 22.9 percent by 2025.

That creates a critical need for caregiver support, for community-based caregiver resources and for residential memory care in our area. If a dementia diagnosis has touched your family, it’s important for you to know you’re not alone. And there are plenty of people and organizations willing to help.

Where can Louisville’s family caregivers receive that support? How can friends and loved ones of people with Alzheimer’s and dementia get the help they need to avoid caregiver burnout?

Today, let’s discuss the dementia caregiving resources available in our region and online, and point you toward some of the caregiver support groups you could join.

KIPDA Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living

Kentucky’s Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living form a regional network of advocacy groups and community-based senior service providers.

The services each provides can include adult day care, Alzheimer’s respite care, benefits eligibility advising, case management and counseling, Meals on Wheels deliveries, transportation assistance, and more.

Jefferson County, and our immediately surrounding counties, are served by the KIPDA Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living.

The Greater Kentucky/Southern Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association

Founded in 1980, the Alzheimer’s Association is a nationwide advocacy and resource organization. The Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association provides service and education to 125 counties across Kentuckiana.

Among the services our local chapter provides are education programs for family caregivers and memory care professionals, support groups, and a 24/7 helpline. It also advises local, state and national legislators on behalf of the people of Kentucky who have Alzheimer's disease and age-related dementias.

Local support groups

There are many support groups in Louisville Southern Indiana for family caregivers and Alzheimer’s patients. Here are a few that you may find of interest:

• Episcopal Church Home’s monthly Family Support Group is designed to provide caregivers with an opportunity to discuss caregiving challenges and share helpful tips, while receiving support from others who are in similar situations. It typically meets the third Wednesday of each month, from 7:30 – 9 p.m., on our campus, 7504 Westport Road, Louisville, KY 40222. Like our Facebook page for news and updates about upcoming meetings, and call Paula Cates or Cecy Grisham King, 502-736-7800, if you need more information.

• Jewish Family & Career Services hosts a monthly caregiver support meeting on second Fridays, at 2 p.m., 2821 Klempner Way, Louisville, KY 40205. Contact Kim Toebbe, 502-452-6341, ext. 103, with questions.

• Beargrass Christian Church hosts its support group on the second Thursday of the month, 10:30 a.m., at 4100 Shelbyville Road, Room 201, Louisville, KY.

• Other Alzheimer’s and dementia support groups in Louisville and our surrounding counties are listed here.

Adult day care and Alzheimer’s/dementia caregivers respite

Most dementia experts recommend that full-time family caregivers regularly make time for themselves so they can avoid burnout. Temporary residential memory care (or “respite care”) and adult day care programs have thus become important tools that dementia caregivers can use to maintain their own mental health.

Caregivers use respite care to arrange care for their loved ones when they need to travel for business, to schedule family vacations, or just for a scheduled break. Adult day care is often used provide safe memory care for seniors with Alzheimer’s whose family caregivers still work, or who need the daytime to run errands and manage household needs.

You can find Louisville-area adult day care programs here, on the Alzheimer’s Association’s community resource finder. You can also search other cities, ZIP codes, or states.

Episcopal Church Home offers respite care services and also permanent residential memory care placement. Contact us if you need help.

Do you need additional Alzheimer’s or dementia caregiving support in Louisville?

Don’t see what you need above? Check the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Human Services’ website or the Alzheimer’s Association’s community resource finder to search for services and agencies not mentioned here.

As the first-ever center for seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia in Louisville, we’re happy to continue supporting Kentucky and Southern Indiana’s Alzheimer’s caregivers. Consider coming to our next Family Support Group to meet other caregivers, learn about the help available to you, and get the compassionate support you need!