More support needed for Alzheimer’s caregivers

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month — with June 21, the longest day of the calendar year, marking an annual reminder of the millions battling this disease — and how our nation has a growing public health crisis that demands attention.

Every 65 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s. While the cost of care is significant, the emotional burden facing families is far greater.

In 2018, the cost to care for the 5.7 million Americans suffering from some form of dementia will reach $277 billion, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. That’s expected to jump to $1.1 trillion by 2050 as the number of people afflicted grows to 14 million.

Connecticut is not immune. Connecticut has one of the highest rates of dementia or Alzheimer’s-related illness in the U.S. among Medicare beneficiaries. By 2025, older adults will make up at least 20 percent of the population in nearly every town, and those with Alzheimer’s will increase 23 percent in the next seven years as the population ages.

While awareness of this deadly disease is important, we must also remember another rapidly growing population battling this disease: Family caregivers.

There are more than 13 million people nationwide providing 15 billion hours’ worth of care for Alzheimer’s patients. The work these individuals do each day is remarkable. Some do this part-time, others provide care around the clock. Many take on the caregiver role while attempting to hold jobs, raise families and manage households.

Caregivers’ circumstances vary, but for everyone the work is physically and emotionally draining, and the motivation is not a paycheck but a sense of duty and love. If you put a price tag on their dedication, the value of family caregiver services would be almost $200 billion.

It’s time we recognize this value, specifically those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. With the accelerating growth in patients and costs, we can’t afford not to.

Connecticut has made great strides in supporting these patients and their families. The state’s Adult Family Living Program (AFL), for example, provides financial and support services to family members or individuals that act as primary inhome caregivers to patients with complex medical conditions like Alzheimer’s. This lets older adults fulfill a desire to remain at home instead of moving to a skilled nursing facility.

As state director of Caregiver Homes, an AFL provider, I can attest to the value of these programs and the importance of supporting family caregivers. I have seen, firsthand, how a caregiver without the proper support can end up struggling more than the patient.

Family caregivers are our unsung heroes, working tirelessly to care for loved ones in our communities. They deserve to be recognized and supported on their journey.