Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease is an act of profound love. It’s also an act that quietly takes a serious toll — one that most caregivers don’t talk about until they’re already running on empty.
Nearly 70% of dementia caregivers have high stress, putting them at greater risk of burnout. That number is striking. What it doesn’t capture is the guilt, the isolation, and the quiet belief that struggling means failing.
It doesn’t.
What Burnout Actually Looks Like
Burnout rarely announces itself. It tends to creep in gradually, disguised as exhaustion or irritability. The Alzheimer’s Association identifies several warning signs worth knowing:
- Denial about the disease or its progression
- Anger or frustration directed at the person in your care
- Social withdrawal
- Lack of enjoyment in activities that used to bring joy
- Persistent anxiety about the future
- Depression, difficulty concentrating, or physical health problems that keep getting worse
Dementia caregivers have higher amounts of mental and physical strain than caregivers of other conditions, and are more likely to experience social isolation and financial hardship as a result. The role is simply more demanding — and it lasts longer than most anticipate.
Why So Many Caregivers Push Through Alone
As a medical social worker with over 30 years of experience at Angels of Mercy Home Care, Christy Singrey has seen this pattern repeat itself more than she can count. A family member steps into the caregiving role — often a spouse or an adult daughter — and quietly absorbs more and more of the weight, convinced that asking for help is somehow a betrayal of their commitment.
It’s not. Burnout isn’t a character flaw. It’s what happens when one person tries to carry something that was never meant to be carried alone.
Where to Turn
Help exists — and it’s more accessible than many families realize. The Alzheimer’s Association offers a 24/7 helpline (800.272.3900), in-person and virtual support groups, and a Caregiver Stress Check tool for anyone who needs a place to start. For those who feel overwhelmed, connecting with others through communities like ALZConnected can provide guidance, emotional support, and the reminder that no one has to navigate this alone.
Christy Singrey works regularly with families navigating exactly these challenges. Part of what a medical social worker does is help caregivers see that accessing support isn’t giving up on someone — it’s making sure they can keep showing up for them.
Taking care of yourself is not a luxury. In this work, it’s a necessity.
