The Impact of Dementia on Families
Dementia affects not only the person living with it, but also the family members who care for them. Understanding the emotional, physical, and financial challenges caregivers face — and how to manage them — is essential for sustainable care.
Family member providing care and support to an elderly parent with dementia
The Impact of Dementia on Families
Dementia does not only affect the person experiencing it — it also affects the family members who care for them. In many cases, family members become the primary caregiver responsible for meeting the daily needs of the person with dementia.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, caregivers of people with dementia often experience higher levels of stress than caregivers of people with other chronic illnesses.
Challenges Commonly Experienced by Families
1. Emotional Pressure
Witnessing the behavioural and cognitive changes in a loved one can give rise to grief, frustration, and anxiety.
2. Physical Exhaustion
Caring for a person with dementia often requires around-the-clock supervision.
3. Financial Burden
The costs of medical care, ongoing support, and daily needs can become a significant challenge for families.
4. Changes in Family Relationships
Roles within the family often shift when one person becomes the primary caregiver.
Managing Caregiver Stress
Several strategies can help caregivers manage the demands of their role:
- sharing responsibilities with other family members;
- seeking support from a caregiver community or support group;
- taking regular breaks and rest periods; and
- considering professional assistance.
The right support can help caregivers maintain a healthy balance between caring for others and looking after their own wellbeing.
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References (Daftar Pustaka)
- Alzheimer's Association (2023).
- Schulz & Martire (2004). Family Caregiving of Persons with Dementia.
Caring for a person with dementia requires enormous amounts of time, energy, and emotional commitment — often around the clock without a break. Unpredictable behavioural changes, the need for constant supervision, and witnessing the decline of a loved one all contribute to stress levels that are higher than those experienced by caregivers of other chronic conditions, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
In many cases, yes. Professional assistance — whether in the form of specialist dementia residential services, trained caregiving staff, or day centre programmes — can help maintain the wellbeing of the person with dementia while relieving the burden on family caregivers. PT. RUKUN SAHABAT SENIOR provides integrated solutions through RUKUN Senior Care, RUKUN Dementia Support Center, and RUKUN Group Home at multiple locations across Indonesia.
Families caring for a person with dementia may face a range of financial challenges, including: the costs of medication and regular medical consultations, home modification costs for the safety of the person with dementia, the cost of professional caregiver services if needed, and the potential loss of income for the family caregiver who may need to reduce working hours or leave employment to provide care.
Recommended strategies include: sharing responsibilities with other family members so that no single person bears the full burden; joining a caregiver community or support group to share experiences; taking regular rest periods (respite care); and considering professional assistance for some or all of the care hours.
Dementia often causes significant role changes within the family — for example, an adult child who now needs to care for a parent as they would care for a young child. These changes can give rise to conflict between family members over the division of responsibilities, shifts in power dynamics, and collective grief at witnessing changes in a loved one. Open communication and a clear division of roles within the family are critically important for navigating these changes.