Inland Hospice Association

Alzheimer's Caregiver Support

Inland Hospice Association’s Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support program is based on the In-home Services model of respite care, and offers a wide range of options, including companion services, personal care, household assistance, and skilled nursing care to meet specific needs of those involved. It is important that caregivers need to consider respite services much earlier than they think they will need them. Respite is most helpful to caregivers if they use it before they become exhausted, isolated, and overwhelmed by their responsibilities. The respite services offered as part of our program have benefits for the caregiver and the patient, and are the result of several years’ experience during which we have determined that:


  • Caregivers must be given sufficient and regular amounts of respite time, for research indicates that temporary and short-term respite alone does not provide the help most caregivers need.

  • Caregivers receiving respite support are able to give careful thought to how they want to spend their respite time. Respite needs to be meaningful and purposeful for caregivers to fulfill their needs and plans.

  • Respite is most effective when combined with other services and assistance.

  • Respite should not stand alone as a single strategy. Caregivers need education, emotional and social support, and a sense of belonging with others.

  • Respite needs to be part of a more complete package of help.


    The Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support program is intended to provide much-needed respite and other assistance to the primary caregivers and/or family of persons afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. Assistance is provided by trained volunteers in the form of direct patient services, including:


  • Respite
  • Dressing
  • Communication
  • Eating
  • Exercise
  • Sleep problems
  • Delusions
  • Wandering
  • Emotional support for both caregiver and patient
  • Education for both caregiver and patient


    The purpose of the program is to provide respite relief to caregivers and family members so that these persons can remain active and involved in the communities where they reside, maintain a regular work schedule and have time to devote to such services as individual and support group counseling. Volunteers also assist the caregivers in creating a safer and more secure environment for their loved ones suffering with Alzheimer’s disease by assisting them with the home’s décor and lighting.

    For more information about utilizing this service for persons afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease or about becoming an Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support program volunteer, please visit or call the Inland Hospice office at (909) 399-3289 and ask for Kathy Kane.