Based on national statistics, each person is being supported by two caregivers, which means there currently are more than 11.4 million caregivers for Alzheimer’s patients in the United States.
What happens if you become one of those 11.4 million caregivers? The first thing to know is you are not alone. When receiving news of a loved one being diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or dementia, people tend to believe their situation is different and they are the only ones dealing with such an issue.
It is important to recognize that they are not the only ones, and that they can learn from and be supported by many others going through the same situation.
In addition to these national figures, it is important to know that veterans and military who have either traumatic brain injuries or post-traumatic stress disorder have a 60 percent higher likelihood of developing some type of dementia.
A first step for a caregiver is to join a support group to educate yourself on how to best support your loved one as well as understand what to expect.
There are many support groups in the Miami Valley to join to make the connections needed to provide the support required for a loved one. One suggestion is to start by contacting the Alzheimer’s Association, which immediately assists with care planning as well as connections for the nearest support group.
A listing of all available support groups is at the Alzheimer's Association website: https://www.alz.org/media/dayton/documents/Support_Group_July2018_2.pdf.
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