November is a significant month. It is both National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month—a time to focus on the millions of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease and the caregivers who support them. Alzheimer’s Association At Livewell Home Care in Chicago, we specialize in dementia and Alzheimer’s home care services—so this month holds special meaning for us, our clients, and their families.
In this article we’ll:
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Review why awareness matters, with key stats and what Alzheimer’s actually is.
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Describe how home-care support can make a real difference.
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Share practical steps that Chicago families can take this month (and beyond).
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Outline how Livewell Home Care can partner with families navigating this journey.
Why Awareness Matters
The scale of the challenge
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In the U.S., more than 6 million people aged 65+ are currently living with Alzheimer’s dementia.
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Alzheimer’s isn’t a normal part of aging—it is the most common form of dementia, accounting for about 60-80 % of dementia cases.
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Caregiving burden is enormous: over 11 million Americans serve as unpaid caregivers for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other dementia.
What awareness opens the door to
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Early recognition means more time to plan, to access support, and to shape quality of life.
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Awareness reduces stigma and isolation: families feel less alone, caregivers have more resources.
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Awareness links to action: establishing routines, safe home environments, choosing the right type of support.
The meaning for Chicago & home care
For a home-care agency like Livewell, awareness means:
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Enhanced caregiver training in dementia-specific support (communication, cueing, safe routines).
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Building systems that support both the person with Alzheimer’s and the family caregiver.
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Partnering with family goals: safety, meaningful engagement, preserving dignity.
How Home Care Makes a Difference
At Livewell Home Care we specialise in in-home dementia and Alzheimer’s support in Chicago and surrounding Cook, DuPage and Lake counties.
Here are ways we help:
Person-centred routines & environment
Creating predictable routines helps minimise confusion, anxiety, and behavioural challenges. Using consistent caregivers fosters trust and safety.
For example: delivering same-time meals, familiar activities, safe walking paths inside the home.
Skilled caregiver communication & cueing
Support isn’t just physical help—it’s dementia-aware engagement. Caregivers trained to use calm language, non-verbal cues, and supportive redirection rather than confrontation.
Livewell’s dementia home-care service emphasises this.
Safety support in the home
Alzheimer’s presents elevated risks of falls, wandering, forgetting tasks or medication. Home care helps monitor, cue, and assist.
Livewell’s services address these through personalised care-plans.
Respite and support for the caregiver
Because the caregiver’s health matters too. As one national report put it: 59% of dementia caregivers report high emotional stress, 38% high physical stress.
Having home-care support gives family caregivers respite, peace of mind, and time to recharge.
Practical Steps for Families This Month
Here’s a short action roadmap for families in Chicago or suburbs served by Livewell Home Care:
| Step | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Screen & assess | If you notice memory changes, cognitive slips, confusion, repeated questions, get medical review. | Early detection improves planning. |
| Build your team | Include doctor, neurologist/geriatrician, home-care provider, and family caregiver network. | Alzheimer’s affects multiple domains: medical, functional, social. |
| Home safety check | Remove trip hazards, install motion-lights, secure exits, label commonly used items, use calendars/clocks. | Reduces risk of accidents and wandering. |
| Structured meaningful engagement | Use familiar music, simplified tasks, shared photo albums, outdoor walks, social visits. | Engagement supports quality of life. |
| Caregiver self-care | Schedule breaks, join a support group, ask for help with errands or tasks. | Sustained caregiving without support leads to burnout. |
| Plan ahead | Discuss future care preferences, legal/financial aspects, home care vs memory care options. | Alzheimer’s progresses; planning ahead avoids crisis decisions. |
Why Partner with Livewell Home Care
Choosing a home-care partner like Livewell offers these strategic advantages:
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Local expertise: Serving Chicago, Park Ridge and suburbs; understanding local service ecosystem.
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Dementia-specific service line: Dedicated Alzheimer’s & dementia care service, not just generic home care.
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Flexible 24-hour or hourly care: Adaptable to evolving needs.
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Family-centred planning: We collaborate with families—not just the person with Alzheimer’s—to create meaningful plans.
If you or your loved one face Alzheimer’s or memory care challenges, our team at Livewell Home Care stands ready to help you build a home-care strategy aligned with your goals, your schedule, and your family’s needs.
This November, we honor those living with Alzheimer’s disease and the caregivers who show up every day. Awareness isn’t just symbolic—it’s the first step to meaningful action. At Livewell Home Care, we believe in turning awareness into care, support, planning, and dignity.
Reach out to our Chicago team for a free consultation—we’ll meet you in-home, assess your needs, explain our dementia-specific care approach, and help chart a path forward. Because no one should face Alzheimer’s alone.
📞 (847) 863-2656
📍 222 S Prospect Ave., 3rd Floor, Park Ridge, IL 60068
