November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month

As the holiday season approaches in November, the Alzheimer’s Association is focusing its attention on an important intersection between these two events – the unique challenges facing Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association is committed to helping caregivers navigate these challenges, with a focus on helping caregivers recognize and manage caregiver stress.

Often, when families come together after being apart for many months to celebrate end of year holidays, changes in behavior and memory loss become more apparent with parents and grandparents. More than 15 million Americans and 1 million New Yorkers provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Caring for these loved ones can take a severe emotional, physical and financial toll on the individuals providing it.

The New York City chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association provides local support and programs for family members and everyone facing this devastating disease. Key resources available around the clock include:

• 24/7 Helpline – Offers confidential support and information by master’s level clinicians and specialists on a variety of Alzheimer’s-related topics. Help is available all day, every day at 800.272.3900, in more than 100 languages.
• Alzheimer’s Navigator® – Creates customized action plans of information and support.
• Community Resource Finder – Allows caregivers to find local resources by zip code.
• ALZConnected® – Connects caregivers with others to share common problems, challenges and potential solutions.

These resources are critically important in the face of national statistics of caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias:

• Fifty-nine percent rated their emotional stress as high or very high. Additionally, about 40 percent of family caregivers suffer from depression.
• Caregivers experience work-related challenges when they begin caregiving. Fifty-four percent had to go in late or leave early, and 15 percent had to take a leave of absence.
• On average, care contributors lose more than $15,000 in annual income as a result of reducing or quitting work to meet the demands of caregiving.

Given these statistics, it’s important that caregivers not isolate themselves, learn more and take advantage of all the help that is available.

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The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The mission of the Alzheimer’s Association 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 brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. To learn more, visit alz.org/nyc or call 800.272.3900, anytime.