Programs that offer a telephone service that enables people who are troubled to talk confidentially about their personal problems with an empathetic listener. These programs are often staffed by volunteers who can offer referrals for ongoing treatment, if needed.

Programs that provide information about specific health and health-related topics including diseases and conditions, birth control, alcohol and drug abuse, mental health, safety and other similar topics that interested individuals can access on a website or in person, or by telephone, email, chat, text or other communication channel. Information may be in a self-serve, browsable format (for example a web resource directory or library of audio recordings) or provided by live agents with expertise in the field.

Family members, friends, neighbors and others who assume responsibility for attending to the daily needs of individuals who are temporarily or permanently unable to care for themselves due to general frailty; illnesses, injuries or progressively debilitating conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or mental illness; or other incapacitating problems without compensation. Some, but not all, states have programs that help people pay for the caregiver of their choice, and in certain circumstances that can be a family member. Most of these programs have income and other eligibility requirements that the care recipient must meet, and strict rules often apply as to who can be paid for the caregiving. Benefits may also be available for veterans and their families through the Veteran's Administration.

An age-related, non-reversible brain disorder that develops over a period of years. Initially, people experience memory loss and confusion, which may be mistaken for the kinds of memory changes that are sometimes associated with normal aging. The symptoms gradually lead to behavior and personality changes, a decline in cognitive abilities such as decision-making and language skills and problems recognizing family and friends; and ultimately to a severe loss of mental function. Alzheimer's disease is one of a group of disorders called dementias that are characterized by cognitive and behavioral problems. It is the most common cause of dementia among people age 65 and older.

An acquired reduction in mental capacity that is characterized by impairment of memory, judgment and intellectual functioning which is often accompanied by behavioral disturbances.

A slowly progressive brain disorder that shares characteristics with both Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The central feature of the condition is progressive cognitive decline, combined with three additional defining features: pronounced "fluctuations" in alertness and attention such as frequent drowsiness, lethargy, lengthy periods of time spent staring into space, or disorganized speech; recurrent visual hallucinations; and parkinsonian motor symptoms such as rigidity and the loss of spontaneous movement. People may also suffer from depression. The symptoms are caused by the build-up of Lewy bodies (accumulated deposits of alpha-synuclein protein) inside the nuclei of neurons in areas of the brain that control particular aspects of memory and motor control. There is no cure or definitive treatment for Lewy body dementia.

The parents, children, spouses, partners, friends or other relatives or significant others of people who have Alzheimer's disease, whose own patterns of personal, social and familial coping have been significantly affected by concern about the individual.