All About Alzheimer's Newsletter- Monday 23rd March 2026

One concern that many caregivers mention is what would happen if their loved one fell or needed help when no one else was nearby.

Some families address this by putting a simple medical alert system in place so their loved one can call for help if needed.

We’ve partnered with Bay Alarm Medical so readers can explore one option if this is something they’ve been thinking about.

You can see how it works by clicking the link below, or speak directly with their team on 1-877-327-0779

Only available in the USA

Caring for someone you love is never simple. And sometimes, the hardest decisions come with the heaviest emotions.

Katrina’s story is one many caregivers will recognise.

She had taken her husband, Ian, to his weekly Singing for the Brain session run by the Alzheimer's Society. It was meant to be a supportive space, but on this particular day, something felt different.

Ian was confused and upset. Katrina had reached a point where she didn’t know how to help him anymore.

Her dementia adviser gently suggested respite care. For Katrina, this was a turning point. It brought a sense of relief, not because the decision was easy, but because she no longer felt she had to carry it alone.

Katrina first noticed changes in Ian in 2022. He seemed slower, not quite himself. At first, it was thought to be depression.

But over time, things became clearer.
In 2023, Ian was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
In 2024, this was followed by a diagnosis of young onset dementia.

As his condition progressed, everyday tasks became harder. Ian struggled with daily living, and he did not want others to know about his diagnosis. As a result, they became increasingly isolated from family and friends.

There was little support and no clear roadmap for managing day-to-day life.

Katrina tried to hold everything together. She continued working while arranging some daily respite care, doing her best to balance it all.

By late 2024, Ian no longer recognised Katrina. He was becoming increasingly distressed, and it became clear he needed a higher level of support.

Katrina felt heartbroken.

She felt as though she had failed him. As though she had not been strong enough to continue caring for him at home.

With support from an Admiral Nurse at Dementia UK, Katrina was guided through one of the most difficult decisions a caregiver can face, moving Ian into a care home.

When Ian moved into the care home, something shifted.

He recognised Katrina again. He was calmer, less distressed, and receiving the support he needed.

For Katrina, the guilt did not disappear.

She says the feeling will always remain.

But something else changed too.

When she visits Ian now, she can focus entirely on him. She is no longer juggling the demands of caregiving alongside everyday life. They can spend time together, share moments, and still create new memories.

Katrina’s story highlights something many carers feel but rarely say out loud.

Making the right decision does not always feel like the easy one.
And doing what is best for someone you love can still come with guilt.

But support, guidance, and shared decision making can make an impossible choice feel just a little less lonely.

If this story resonates with you, you are not alone.

We share regular insights on our YouTube channel, covering topics such as caregiver guilt, emotional overwhelm, and the realities of caring for a loved one with dementia.

These videos are designed to support you with honest guidance and reassurance when you need it most.

Every week, we share an honest story from a caregiver — the things most people are too afraid to say out loud.

Thank you for sharing this so honestly. What you are describing is something many caregivers experience, even if they struggle to put it into words.

Guilt often becomes a constant companion in caregiving because the role has no clear boundaries or finish line. There is always more that could be done, more patience that could be given, more time that could be offered. That makes it very difficult to feel a sense of completion or enoughness.

The thoughts you mention, wanting a break, feeling tired, or needing space, are not a reflection of a lack of love. They are a reflection of being human in a demanding and emotionally intense situation.

It can help to reframe guilt as a signal rather than a judgement. Often, it is pointing to competing needs. Your need to care for someone else, and your need to care for yourself. Both matter.

Caring for yourself does not take away from the care you give. In many cases, it sustains it. Without rest, support, and space, the role becomes harder to carry over time.

Losing a sense of yourself is something many caregivers quietly experience. Reconnecting with even small parts of who you are outside of caregiving can be an important step, not away from the role, but alongside it.

You are not failing. You are carrying something very heavy, and doing so with love.

And you are not alone in feeling this way.

Harvey

If something’s been on your heart lately, let us know. We read every word. Your voice could offer comfort to someone else navigating the same journey.

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