Alzheimer's Association to hold symposium for young caregivers

Despite the common assumption that Alzheimer’s disease is primarily an older person’s concern, the impact of the disease stretches across generations. When a family member is diagnosed – whether it be a parent in their 40s or 50s or a grandparent – caregiving becomes a hands-on reality for many millennials. According to the 2019 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report, one out of every six millennial caregivers is caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.

To reach this group of younger caregivers, the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter will host “Alzheimer’s Diaries: The Young Adult Caregiver Experience” at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh on Friday, April 12. This symposium will include presentations by experts in aging and dementia, and some younger caregivers will share their experiences. This will be followed by a panel discussion and questions from the audience.

Amanda Medina of Poughkeepsie will be sharing her experiences as caregiver for her father, Carlos Ordonez, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2013 when he was only 56 years old. Both she and her mother have been his caregivers for the past six years.

She said the first sign something was amiss happened when her father was working at IBM.

“He was standing in front of an audience giving a presentation -- and he gave presentations all the time -- but he had completely forgotten what he was supposed to be talking about,” Medina recalled.

Concern over this incident drove her family to seek an explanation, ultimately leading to a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s.

“Even though he wasn’t diagnosed until 2013,” Medina added. “There were small indicators starting in about 2011, like forgetting where he was driving, that were often brushed off. But looking back, they were probably early signs.”

After the initial diagnosis, Medina said she and her mother often felt helpless as they struggled to find caretakers and resources for her father. Since then, Medina has become more acquainted with the Alzheimer’s Association and the support it provides for families like hers, and she now volunteers for the organization. She also participates in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and considers it as a positive outlet to meet and talk with other caregivers.

Medina said she was excited about participating in the symposium and was most looking forward to meeting other young caregivers in comparable positions.

“I hope to find people who are in similar situations to mine. It’s somewhat unique because my dad was diagnosed so young, and I’d like to meet people who have been where I’ve been, too.” She added that she often finds it difficult to be a younger caregiver “because it’s my dad rather than a grandparent, I feel like I’ve missed out on some of the growing up aspects that you usually get to experience with a parent, like getting married and having kids.”

She said she was grateful to have the opportunity to attend and speak at the event not only to help raise awareness for Alzheimer’s, but to help her father and family as well.

This symposium is supported in part by a grant from the New York State Department of Health.

About the Hudson Valley Chapter

The Hudson Valley Chapter serves families living with dementia in seven counties in New York, including Duchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester. To learn more about the programs and services offered locally, visit alz.org/hudsonvalley.

About the Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Its vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. Visit www.alz.org or call 800.272.3900.