Artie and Phyllis, married for nearly 60 years, live in New York City and were primed to live out their retirement in peace. But about 3 years ago, Artie noticed something that would change things forever.
Dementia is a progressive, long-term disease. Just as someone with dementia will progress through its stages, their caregiver will also progress through the stages of caregiving.
There are 16 million Americans caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia today. Despite the group’s sheer size, they are widely known as the “invisible second patient” — because the effect caregiving has on their own health and well-being is all too often overlooked.
End-of-life care presents unique logistical and emotional challenges for family caregivers, who often face stigma surrounding decision-making, complex care needs, and misperceptions about palliative and hospice care. Our CEO, Shara Cohen, recently spoke on a panel at HLTH 2023, discussing how healthcare organizations can enhance the caregiving experience for these dedicated individuals.