She moved home to care for her father. But he’s doing just fine.

We knew what the diagnosis meant, Bryan said. And the diagnosis, to us, meant just a long journey of decline and ultimately death.

New Therapies Change the Outlook

The trajectory for Alzheimer’s patients has shifted in the last few years due to the availability of new therapies. According to Dr. Anna Chodos, executive director of Dementia Care Aware, these treatments can delay symptoms and disability for eligible patients in the early stages of the disease. While these medications do not cure Alzheimer’s, they can prolong plateaus in patient health and reduce the immediate intensity of caregiving responsibilities for family members.

Bryan’s father, who was diagnosed early, became a candidate for treatment. For the past 18 months, he has received infusions every other week. While he continues to experience short-term memory challenges, Bryan reports that he has shown virtually no decline since beginning the treatment. He continues to drive himself, volunteer with Seniors Helping Seniors, assist with childcare for Bryan’s children, and attend church. Recently, his treatment schedule was reduced to once-a-month infusions.

Everyone else, like, with my grandmother and friends' parents, 18 months, you can see a significant decline, Bryan said. Really, we've been surprised.

The Importance of Early Detection

Despite the success seen in cases like the Nelsons’, medical experts warn that the benefits of these therapies are highly dependent on timing. Dr. Chodos emphasized that early detection is critical, noting that many patients are diagnosed too late to qualify for these specific medications, or are already on other treatments that render them ineligible.

Furthermore, medical outcomes vary. While drugs like Leqembi and Kisunla target the underlying biology of Alzheimer’s, they do not work for every patient. Some individuals may respond well, while others may see little to no effect. Chodos noted that even for those responding well to treatment, the goal is often to slow the progression of the disease rather than stop it entirely, ideally keeping patients in the earliest stages of the disease for as long as possible.

The Reality for Caregivers

However, her experience remains distinct from that of many other caregivers in the United States. According to the 2025 Caregiving in the US report from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, 27% of the 63 million caregivers in the country are supporting someone with Alzheimer’s or another memory-related impairment.

Many families struggle with the lack of support systems and the physical or financial toll of caregiving. Other caregivers report significant challenges, including:

• Staffing shortages: Families relying on home health aides frequently face late-notice cancellations and difficulty finding consistent, reliable help.
• Financial strain: The cost of long-term care, including out-of-pocket expenses for home help or assisted living, can rapidly deplete family savings.
• Emotional and physical exhaustion: Caregivers often report that the daily demands of managing a loved one’s care are unsustainable without external support.
• Cultural expectations: In some communities, placing a loved one in a professional facility is viewed negatively, creating additional internal conflict for families when the level of care required exceeds what they can provide at home.

Planning for the Long Term

While Bryan’s father remains independent, she acknowledges that this status will not last forever. Dr. Chodos encourages caregivers to connect with community organizations to ensure they have the resources needed to manage these challenges effectively.

Caregivers need to be connected to all the resources and all these amazing community organizations that are there for them, Chodos said. They need to know they're not alone.