You need care too
If you are caring for your mom, dad, or spouse with dementia, you may be tired in a way sleep doesn't fix. That is normal. Dementia care is long, and it gets harder over time.
Getting help early is not giving up. It is how you last. Here are local groups we have checked that serve Fresno County families.
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association runs a free 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900. You can call any time, day or night, to talk with someone trained in dementia. They can help with behavior questions, next steps, and finding local support groups and classes.
The Association's Northern California and Northern Nevada Chapter has a Fresno office at 7461 N. First St., Suite 103. The Helpline number is the best way to reach them.
Valley Caregiver Resource Center
Valley Caregiver Resource Center is a Fresno nonprofit that helps families caring for older adults and people with memory loss. It serves Fresno, Madera, Kings, Tulare, Merced, Mariposa, Kern, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne counties.
Through the Family Caregiver Support Program, run with a grant from the Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging, it offers free support groups, classes and training, one-on-one counseling, legal consultations, and help paying for respite. It also teaches a Dementia Care Essentials course and runs the OASIS Adult Day Program for people with dementia or memory loss.
Where: 5363 N. Fresno St., Fresno. Phone: (559) 224-9154 or (800) 541-8614. Hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm.
Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging (FMAAA)
FMAAA is the local agency that plans and funds senior services in Fresno and Madera counties. It can point you to programs like care management, meals, caregiver support, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, who advocates for people living in care homes.
Where: 2520 W. Shaw Lane, #101A, Fresno. Phone: (559) 214-0299 or toll-free (800) 510-2020.
Tell us what's going on. We'll text you licensed homes that fit, with real prices, and tour them with you.
Fresno County In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
IHSS pays for help at home for people who qualify for Medi-Cal or SSI/SSP and can't safely care for themselves. It can cover things like bathing, dressing, meals, and housework. In many cases, a family member can be hired as the paid caregiver.
To apply, call Fresno County at (559) 600-6666 and choose option 1. A doctor has to fill out a health care form as part of the process.
UCSF Fresno Alzheimer & Memory Center
The UCSF Fresno Alzheimer & Memory Center at 550 E. Shaw Ave, Suite 105, evaluates and diagnoses memory problems. It also lists caregiver support groups, including We Care in English and Spanish and La Buena Vida in Spanish. Phone: (559) 227-4167.
Adult day programs and respite
Respite means someone else takes over for a while so you can rest, work, or see your own doctor. It can be a few hours or a few days. Options in Fresno include:
- Adult day programs, where your loved one spends the day with activities, meals, and supervision. The OASIS program above is built for dementia. See our adult day care in Fresno page for more.
- In-home respite from a home care agency, often around $30 to $36 an hour in Fresno. See respite and in-home care.
- Short respite stays at a licensed assisted living, board and care, or memory care home. Many homes allow short stays when they have an open room.
- Help paying for respite through Valley Caregiver Resource Center's Family Caregiver Support Program.
Signs of caregiver burnout
Burnout creeps up slowly. Watch for these signs in yourself:
- You are exhausted even after sleep, or you can't sleep.
- You snap at your loved one or others more than you used to.
- You get sick more often or skip your own care.
- You have pulled away from friends and things you enjoy.
- You feel hopeless, trapped, or numb.
If you see these signs, tell your own doctor and call the Alzheimer's Association Helpline or Valley Caregiver Resource Center. If you ever feel like you might hurt yourself, call or text 988 any time.
Small things that help you keep going
- Say yes when people offer help, and give them a specific task.
- Keep your own doctor visits. Caregivers get sick too.
- Join a support group, even once. Talking with people who get it helps.
- Get legal and money papers in order early, like a power of attorney. Our paying for senior care page can help you plan.
When home is no longer enough
There may come a day when care at home isn't safe for your loved one or for you. That is not failure. When you're ready, we can help you compare licensed homes and tour them with you, free. Licensed homes pay us a referral fee, and we're always up front about that. Start with our memory care in Fresno page.
Updated September 2026 by Shaun and Nick, co-founders of CalValley Senior Living Advisors.