For the Tomahawk Leader
WISCONSIN – November is National Family Caregiver Month, and the Alzheimer’s Association is recognizing the more than 11 million Americans, including 198,000 in Wisconsin, who are currently providing unpaid care for a person living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
“November is a month in which we not only honor Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers, but highlight unique challenges of their caregiver experience,” said Jennifer McAlister, Program Manager, Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter. “Caregiving demands are often greater for these caregivers and there are 4 key reasons why dementia caregiving is more challenging.”
Unique challenges
The Alzheimer’s Association pointed to four unique challenges faced by caregivers.
Caregiving for someone with memory loss is more complex and time-intensive. Caregivers of people with dementia report providing 27 hours more care per month on average (92 hours versus 65 hours) than caregivers of people without dementia. These caregivers are often managing multiple conditions, not only memory loss, but behavioral/emotional changes and gradual loss of mobility.
Caregiving impacts employment. Caregiving has a significant impact on working caregivers. 57% reported needing to go in late or leave early due to care responsibilities, 18% reduced their work hours and 9% gave up working entirely.
Alzheimer’s caregivers often have to provide care over a longer period of time. During the course of a journey with dementia, caregiving tasks escalate and become more time-intensive. The average life expectancy following a diagnosis is four to eight years, but can be as long as 20.
Alzheimer’s caregivers report greater stress and personal health problems. 59% of Alzheimer’s caregivers report their emotional stress as high or very high, and 35% report declining health because of caregiving.
“Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is overwhelming for many caregivers here in Wisconsin,” McAlister stated. “However, there is support and resources available including local support groups, education programs and our 24/7 Helpline. No one should face this disease alone and the Alzheimer’s Association is here to help.”
The 24/7 Helpline can be reached at 800-272-3900.
Caregiving statistics
The Alzheimer’s Association provided the following caregiving statistics:
- More than 11 million people in the U.S. are providing unpaid care to a person living with Alzheimer’s or dementia; 198,000 in Wisconsin.
- Among primary caregivers of people with dementia, over half take care of their parents.
- Approximately two-thirds of caregivers are women, and one-third of dementia caregivers are daughters.
- 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.
- In 2021, the lifetime cost of care for a person living with dementia was $377,621.00.
- 41% percent of caregivers have a household income of $50,000.00 or less.
About the Alzheimer’s Association®
The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.
“Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia,” the Association said.
For more information, visit www.alz.org.