Mar 24, 2023 3 min read

Impact on caregivers and their health.

A big chunk as well the patient journey in the new era of treatments. accompanying special report.

Looks at the impacts from the patient’s point of view and the primary care physician on what the current barriers are for having earlier discussions about cognitive concerns.

Caregiving for someone with any type of dementia 

When you think about the impact that has on the care provider it’s that duration of the disease, it’s that physical and emotional stress that happens from day one of the diagnosis and continuation of it that stands out from other diseases. That compounding of the care really puts a toll on that caregiver.

A lot of times they have to quit work, take a leave of absence.

Another burden is cost of care.

Strains of the emotional changes that are happening. The cost of care is so exorbitant, the stress of how can I afford to pay for it if.

There’s just a lot there. The duration of the disease and the progression of it really compounds of why this is amplified for caregivers and their health.

It’s not a silver bullet 

Impact people in the earliest stages of the disease and with mild cognitive impairment.

If someone can benefit from their drugs. if there is more time for the caregiver to enjoy more birthdays or anniversaries at the highest level of their functioning can not only help the caregiver but that individual.

That’s why it’s so important that were motivating care providers and people in the community  what are the warning signs, help me get an early diagnosis so they can befit from these new drugs.,

If we continue to not provide access to those who can benefit, it’s just not fair.

The trajectory of the disease continues to rise.

if we could slow down the disease it could really impact the numbers and it could even impact the cost to the nation.

Unfortunately, it is on the rise.

Alzheimer’s Association a couple thousand advocates at capitol hill during a rally.

We’re in a very exciting era of treatment for this disease. There’s over 140 therapeutics in the pipeline right now. We don’t want to halt anyone from having access.

It’s shocking to me that people who become caregivers to somebody with dementia automatically become isolated. They feel like they do not want to burden anyone. They also feel other people will not know how to interact with their loved one so they don’t ask for help or seek help. We tell them to ask for help.  Being able to increase community resources and opportunities for caregivers to receive help.

“We don’t have a lot of opportunities and community resources that we should

We want to make sure that we’re providing that support from the beginning of that disease.

Grandmother vascular demtionm

age 20 impacted me very early. Saw my father doing the personal hygiene of his mother he was sort of losing his own identity through this.  

It takes an entire family but it also takes community.

Knowledge is power. Making people aware that this really is a health priority need for our nation. 

vice president for programs and services greater pennsylvania chapter