As Alzheimer’s risk grows, caregivers need support
According to a new report from the Florida Chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated one in eight of our loved ones, friends and neighbors are living with Alzheimer’s. More than 840,000 are serving as their unpaid caregivers. This progressive brain disease, which currently has no cure, is devastating Central Florida families. We must work together to ensure all those impacted are supported and have access to resources to reduce the burden of caregiving.
Like so many in our community, I know what it is like to witness this terrible disease take everything from a loved one. My dad, Bob Herzog, was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment in 2015. He was a devoted husband, father and community member, giving back to organizations like the Boys and Girls Club. In 2017, he progressed to Alzheimer’s and passed away a few years later. Seeing him become aware of what he was losing was incredibly painful for him and our entire family.
Unfortunately, my story is being replayed thousands of times across Central Florida. We are losing mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends and colleagues to this disease at an alarming rate. In a 2023 report from Rush University, both Orange and Osceola counties were ranked in the top 100 counties for Alzheimer’s prevalence. And this impact is not felt equally. We know that Hispanic families are 1.5 times more likely to have Alzheimer’s and Black families are twice as likely than their White, non-Hispanic counterparts.
By 2030, the entire baby-boomer generation will be age 65 or older, the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s. As the number impacted climbs, so too will the number of family caregivers. We must be careful not to underestimate the burden of caregiving. According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s report, 18% of caregivers die before the person with dementia they are caring for. That’s nearly one in five dementia caregivers.
I see the impact this disease has on caregivers every day. Home to one of Florida’s state-designated memory disorder clinics, AdventHealth’s Neuroscience Institute sees spouses, adult children, close friends and neighbors who have taken on the role as caregiver for a loved one living with dementia. They come in lost, overwhelmed and discouraged not knowing what to do, where to turn to or how to manage. Our memory care team is able to share community resources, talk to them about next steps in preparing for the future and help manage behaviors. We provide psychosocial support to both the patient and caregiver and, more importantly, let them know they are not on this journey alone.
In my role as vice president of research at AdventHealth, I also see the hope and nobility experienced by families and caregivers participating in clinical trials. It is through these trials that we gain new treatments, prevention methods and, one day, a cure.
As individuals, each of us can also ensure the caregivers in our lives don’t feel alone. Reach out. Offer to help with little chores or give them a break from caregiving. Even the littlest task can make a big difference. You can support caregivers in Central Florida by getting involved in local efforts that make a difference, like Walk to End Alzheimer’s Orlando on Oct. 5 at Lake Eola. Thousands of families impacted by this disease come together to raise awareness. You can join me by registering at alz.org/OrlandoWalk.
Finally, we must ensure caregivers know that resources exist to help navigate the challenges of caregiving. The AdventHealth Brain Health team offers caregiver support groups, cognitive exercises classes that include music therapy and art therapy, physical exercise classes, and general education on dementia. These are all free to the community to participate, regardless of their connection to AdventHealth or the memory clinic. For more information please email NSI.BrainHealth@AdventHealth.com or visit www.adventhealthneuroinstitute.com.
For help navigating caregiving challenges and other questions, the Alzheimer’s Association Florida chapters provide a 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900. You can also call the Florida Department of Elder Affairs Elder Helpline for more on local services, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 800-963-5337.
Please, take action to support the caregivers in your life.