Caregiver resources

National Alzheimer's & dementia organizations

• Alzheimer's Association The largest U.S. nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research. Operates a 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900 for caregivers in crisis, a searchable directory of local chapters, support groups, and the most comprehensive caregiver education library we are aware of. Use them for: immediate help during a difficult night, finding local support groups, understanding the stages of the disease.
• Alzheimer's Foundation of America Smaller than the Alzheimer's Association but offers free memory screenings, a national toll-free helpline (866-232-8484) staffed by social workers, and grants to families needing financial assistance with respite care. Use them for: free memory screening, social-worker-staffed helpline, respite care grants.
• National Institute on Aging — Alzheimer's & Dementia The U.S. government's research and education arm for cognitive aging. Plain-language explainers on medications, clinical trials, behavior management, and end-of-life planning. Use them for: trustworthy medical information without commercial bias.
• Lewy Body Dementia Association Lewy body dementia is the third-most-common dementia after Alzheimer's and vascular and is frequently misdiagnosed. The LBDA helpline (800-539-9767) is the best resource we know for families navigating this specific diagnosis. Use them for: LBD-specific medication guidance, REM sleep behavior disorder support.
• Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) presents very differently from Alzheimer's — earlier onset, behavioral or language symptoms first. The AFTD is the leading U.S. resource for families navigating FTD. Use them for: FTD-specific support and a younger-onset community.

Caregiver support & respite

• Caregiver Action Network Free peer-to-peer support, a help desk for caregivers (855-227-3640), and a careful library of how-to guides. Their content reads as if written by people who have actually been there. Use them for: peer support, practical how-to guides for daily caregiving challenges.
• ARCH National Respite Network The single best directory for finding short-term respite care so the primary caregiver can sleep, see a doctor, or attend a wedding without a crisis. Searchable by ZIP code. Use them for: locating respite care in your area.
• AARP Family Caregiving Practical, broad-audience caregiving content. The financial-planning and legal-planning sections are especially useful for families who have not yet set up a power of attorney or health care proxy. Use them for: financial and legal planning, regardless of AARP membership.
• Family Caregiver Alliance California-based but with national programs. Their Caregiver Resource Centers provide free assessments, counseling, and respite vouchers in many states. Use them for: state-by-state guides to caregiver rights and benefits.

Financial & legal planning

• Medicare.gov What Medicare does and does not cover for in-home care, skilled nursing, and hospice. Most families discover too late that Medicare does not cover long-term custodial care. Use them for: understanding the gap between Medicare and long-term care needs.
• Medicaid.gov Medicaid is the largest U.S. payer of long-term care. State-by-state eligibility varies enormously. Many families benefit from consulting an elder law attorney before applying. Use them for: long-term care funding, especially after assets are depleted.
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Searchable directory of attorneys who specialize in elder law, Medicaid planning, and special needs trusts. We recommend every family consult one early in the dementia journey, not at the crisis point. Use them for: locating a qualified elder law attorney near you.

International resources

• Alzheimer Society of Canada Canadian-specific programs, provincial resources, and a national helpline.
• Alzheimer's Society (UK) The leading UK dementia charity. Their "Talking Point" online community is one of the largest caregiver peer-support spaces in the world.
• Alzheimer's Disease International Federation of 100+ national Alzheimer's associations worldwide. Best starting point for families outside the U.S., Canada, and UK.

We are not a substitute for any of these

Ruby House Alerts is a technical safety tool. It does not replace medical care, legal advice, social support, or the irreplaceable work of a good geriatrician. The organizations above do that work and deserve your support.