Alumnus John-Robert Ward II ’00 with his family. Photo by Ward.
With an estimated 5.2 million Americans suffering from dementia – and with the aging baby boom generation expected to triple that number by 2050 – chances are we will all be affected in some way or another by Alzheimer’s disease and/or other dementias.
Like College of Charleston alumnus John-Robert Ward II ’00, whose father was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia seven years ago, many of us will be directly affected – even becoming primary caregivers to a parent or loved one suffering from the disease. And the care we provide is invaluable. Last year alone, 15.5 million family and friends provided 17.7 billion hours of unpaid care to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias – care valued at $220.2 billion. That’s nearly eight times the total revenue of McDonald’s in 2012.
Almost as valuable as the care we give is our awareness – not just of the disease, but of the caregivers who deal with it, as well. And, with National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Caregiver Month both upon us, now is as good a time as any.
“Ignorance is no excuse. Educate yourself. Because, guess what? It’s here. It’s going to affect every one of us one way or another,” says Ward, adding that there are a few things you should not to say to the family members of those suffering from dementia:
- “Does she remember you?”
- “Oh, my grandmother died of that!”
- “I know how you feel.”
- “Can he understand me?”
Most important, Ward says, don’t forget family members and caregivers as the months and years go on. Just check in here and there. Dementia is a very lonely disease – despite the overwhelming number of people dealing with it.
