MILWAUKEE, WI – OCTOBER 28, 2020 – November is National Family Caregiver Month and the Alzheimer’s Association recognizes the more than 16 million Americans, including 195,000 in Wisconsin, who are currently caring for a person living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly challenging for Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers during the past eight months,” said Wendy Betley, Senior Program Director, Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter. “Many of these caregivers have experienced a reduction in outside care and support services and reduced support from family and friends in the wake of social distancing protocols. Despite these challenges, caregivers are answering the call in inspiring ways to navigate current challenges and to provide needed care to their loved ones.”
The Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter supports caregivers with free, virtual programming including care consultations, education programs, support groups and assistance with 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900) calls.
Interview Opportunity:
Wendy Betley, Senior Program Director, Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter. Learn about challenges for caregivers in our current climate and resources that are available to support them.
Monty Johnson, Caregiver, Waukesha. Monty cares for his wife Kuei who has been living with Alzheimer’s disease for 17 years.
Kristin Schmitt, Caregiver, Franklin. Kristin helps care for her grandmother who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She also started her own business, with a portion of proceeds being donated to the Alzheimer’s Association, so she had the flexibility to help her grandmother.
Statistics:
In 2019, more than 16 million Americans provided unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias; 195,000 in Wisconsin
In 2019 caregivers provided an estimated 18.6 billion hours of unpaid assistance, a
contribution valued at $244 billion.
In 2019, the lifetime cost of care for a person living with dementia was $357,297.
Among primary caregivers of people with dementia, over half take care of their parents.
Approximately one-quarter of dementia caregivers are “sandwich generation” caregivers,
meaning they care not only for an aging parent, but also for children under age 18.