A Daughter Spreads Awareness of Alzheimer’s With Humor

Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My grandparents had it, and my mom was diagnosed when she was 55 and I was 25. As someone deeply affected by Alzheimer’s disease, the worst parts of my journey were the years that I didn’t talk about it. Those were years when I felt alone because I didn’t think that anyone could possibly know what I was going through, let alone help – which I now know is not even close to being the reality.

In 2016, more than 15 MILLION family and friends provided 18.2 BILLION hours of unpaid care to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. That care had an estimated economic value of over $230 billion.

Yet, despite millions of families and individuals across the country and the world caring for loved ones with this disease, it is very easy to feel completely alone. Alzheimer’s is a very isolating disease. It isn’t talked about in the same way as other illnesses, and this can prevent people from seeking out the support they need and being fully aware of the resources that are available. The Alzheimer’s Association examined issues facing caregivers in the 2017 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report and found 35% of caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s or another dementia report that their health has gotten worse due to care responsibilities. Care contributors are also more likely than non-care contributors to eat less or go hungry because there wasn’t enough money to afford proper meals and sacrifice their own medical care by cutting back on doctor visits.

My family is in an extraordinarily lucky position to be able to afford great care for my mom, which provides relief for my Dad.  However, there are too many people out there who can’t pay for the help that they need and deserve. When I founded Hilarity for Charity, one of our main goals – in addition to fighting a terrible disease – was to provide support to the millions of caregivers who desperately need it.

So, in 2014, we partnered with Home Instead Senior Care to create the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Relief Care Grant Program. This program provides in-home care grants to caregivers caring for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.

The grants ensure exceptional in-home care is provided to people living with the disease, while providing their caregivers a much needed break. It allows these caregivers time to complete simple tasks that many of us take for granted – going to the grocery store, attending a work function, or simply doing chores around the house – knowing that their loved one is safe and cared for. We hear from many of our grant recipients that this support is simply life changing.

Half of all funds raised by Hilarity for Charity support this program. As of March 2017, we have awarded over 150,000 hours of care worth more than $2 million. And while we are committed to raising even more money to help more families – we know it is impossible for us to answer every request for help – no matter how desperately I wish we could.

That’s why it is critical that caregivers continue to seek out the resources and support available to them. Visit HilarityForCharity.org for help finding support and ways to get involved. Reach out to the Alzheimer’s Association for free information and guidance in your community or online at their Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center. It is so important to share your story and build a support network where you can find solace, strength, and yes, help. There are many groups available, some online, such as our Hilarity for Charity Google Hangout support groups for caregivers under 40, or in-person, like those provided by your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter.

We’re also grateful to Rivet Revolution for being an amazing partner in raising awareness and funds to support Hilarity for Charity and the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Relief Care Grant Program. A portion of every Rivet Revolution bracelet sold directly supports Hilarity for Charity and the Care Grant Program and for that I am incredibly grateful!

We can each play a role in supporting families facing Alzheimer’s and putting an end to this disease. Encourage your friends and families to donate towards research to find effective treatments and a cure. Call your elected officials and demand more research funding for Alzheimer’s. Participate in a clinical trial. Offer your help to a family – even an hour or two a week can make a big difference.

Let’s make Alzheimer’s part of the conversation. Let’s bring more light to the darkness – through the families that we can help and the work that we can do together to end Alzheimer’s.