To Commemorate Women’s Equality Day, Take Care of Caregivers

Currently, there are roughly 3.2 million American women who are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. These women are also mothers, sisters, wives, colleagues and community members who must deal with the stress of those responsibilities too.  With all of those responsibilities piling up, it’s no wonder caregivers report devastating tolls on their own physical and mental health. For instance, nearly 60 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers rate the emotional stress of caregiving as “high” or “very high”; nearly 40 percent suffer from depression. One in five care contributors cut back on their own doctor visits because of their care responsibilities. And, among caregivers, 74 percent report they are “somewhat” to “very” concerned about maintaining their own health since becoming a caregiver.  Read the editorial here.