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Supporting Family Caregivers
of Individuals with Dementia:
A Foundational Training
for Healthcare Professionals

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Family caregivers of individuals living with dementia face a complex and often overwhelming set of responsibilities. The impact on these caregivers is multifaceted and far-reaching — personally, emotionally, physically, and financially. Many experience chronic stress, social isolation, anxiety, depression, and even burnout, which can compromise their own health and the care they provide. Despite their critical role, family caregivers (FCGs) are frequently overlooked in clinical settings — often handed long “to-do” lists with little acknowledgment of their needs or capacity.

When caregivers thrive, patient care improves.

A healthcare team that is aware of and responsive to caregiver needs can make a profound difference in outcomes for both the patient and the caregiver.

This module series is designed specifically to help build competency and compassion in health care teams working with families caring for someone with dementia. It emphasizes the shared journey of care, the hidden toll of caregiving, and the immense value of proactive, holistic support.

The impact on family caregivers of individuals with dementia is multifaceted and profound, affecting various aspects of their lives. They grapple with personal, emotional, and financial challenges, which can lead to significant mental and physical health implications. Supporting family caregivers enhances the quality of care for the patient. Recognizing and addressing family caregiving challenges is crucial to providing comprehensive support to caregivers and improving their overall well-being.

These modules aim to equip healthcare teams with the necessary understanding and tools to support family caregivers, emphasizing the importance of addressing caregivers’ physical, emotional, mental, and financial well-being to enhance overall patient care. By addressing the diverse needs of family caregivers (FCGs), healthcare professionals can significantly enhance the quality of care provided to both caregivers and patients, ultimately fostering a more empathetic and holistic healthcare approach.

This training helps close a persistent gap in dementia care — the disconnect between clinical teams and the caregivers who provide the majority of daily care. By empowering healthcare professionals to recognize and respond to the needs of caregivers, we foster a more connected, compassionate, and effective system of care.

Purpose of the Toolkit

  • Increase confidence of early career healthcare teams in engaging family caregivers (FCG) caring for persons with cognitive impairment in patient care.
  • Improve healthcare teams skills and confidence in understanding the role of FCG in patient care.
  • Provide healthcare teams with FAQ dialogues and resources to support the FCG throughout the caregiving process.
  • Improve the quality of life for family members caring for persons with memory loss.

Want to learn  more? Email us at:

fcscgero@usc.edu