Using FMLA for Caregivers of Dementia Patients: Legal Tactics

Using FMLA for Caregivers of Dementia Patients: Legal Tactics When my sister started caring full-time for our dad—who had just been diagnosed with vascular dementia—we had no idea she could take legally protected leave from work. We assumed the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was just for people having babies or surgeries. But we were wrong. And thankfully so. If you’re caring for a loved one with dementia, the FMLA might be your hidden lifeline—if you know how to use it. This post will walk you through the legal tactics, state-by-state hacks, and real-world caregiver strategies to make FMLA work for you in 2025. ๐ Table of Contents Eligibility for FMLA as a Dementia Caregiver Securing Proper Medical Certification Using Intermittent Leave Creatively How State Laws Expand Federal FMLA Rights Handling Employer Pushback and Retaliation Legal Resources for Family Caregivers Quick FAQs ๐งพ Eligibility for FMLA as a Dementia Caregiver Let...