Caregiver Insights

Understanding Dementia

Changing Friendships

My mom had more friends than anyone I know as she moved through her life! She kept in touch with high school friends and college friends, made teacher friends, running friends, tennis friends, golf friends, had the Girlfriend Principals, you name it. As she began to lose her memory, the grief that passed through her various friend groups was felt deeply. People longed to see her, to spend time with her, to make sure she was okay. As time went on, she was less and less okay. Unable to be around others who weren’t in her safest circle. This was incredibly challenging for many to understand. 

A person with Alzheimer’s lives in a shrinking world. Repetition of questions turns to misplacing things, turns to memory loss, confusion, losing track of time and space, forgetting people. Friends who want to come visit don’t always understand that their dear one with Alzheimer’s may not know who they are or might not want to see them. It’s hard for the caregiver to explain this, and it can create tension and discomfort. It’s an awkward and uncomfortable position for everyone. 

There are no easy answers. The fact is, friendships diminish, which is hard on everyone. Feelings get hurt, and we as caregivers have a tough time managing all the emotions; especially when we are so buried in our own experience of exhaustion, overwhelming sadness, and grief. I know my dad and I struggled with this part of the equation. The best we could do was gently explain that Mom had regressed into herself and was now most comfortable with the people she lived with. And, once she started the day program, we said she related more to those in the program than she did with others, which was true. And we apologized. Apologized and apologized.

But we eventually found it was imperative to maintain contact with a few close friends, for everyone’s sake. They were a lifeline for us. These friends were able to connect with Mom and give us a reprieve from caregiving when she was still living at home. To love Mom in a way she needed to be loved. They took Mom out of Cherrywood for lunches or visits, and even though she didn’t always know who they were, she recognized them as safe. 

It was painful to see how diminished my mom’s once vast world became. To know that so many of her friends no longer had any contact with her in her last years. But Mom’s love was still so palpable in the way her best friends continued to show up. In the outpouring of grief and love that has been expressed since her passing. And in our memories, we all have of the countless friendships that were so meaningful to her throughout her life. That will never change.

Our Mission

Connection, Insight & Relief

To connect dementia caregivers to community, practical insights, and genuine relief — so that no caregiver has to figure this out alone, without a hand to reach for or a voice that understands.

Built by caregivers. For caregivers.

Our Vision

No One Walks Alone

A world where no caregiver walks this road alone — where every family touched by dementia has access to the compassion, knowledge, and community they so deeply deserve.

Because love deserves a community behind it.

Dementia Caregivers Connection isn't a program someone designed from the outside. It is the community Pete and Christine wish had existed when they needed it most — and it grows stronger with every caregiver who joins it.

Built by caregivers, for caregivers. We offer practical insights, compassionate community, and meaningful relief for every family walking the dementia journey — because no one should face it alone.

Join our growing community of caregivers.

© 2026 Dementia Caregivers Connection. All rights reserved.

Made with and for caregivers everywhere