November is both National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and National Caregiver Awareness Month. It seems very appropriate that these causes are paired for recognition on a national level because, in our world, the two are inseparable. We all know that Alzheimer’s is unique in that the person with the disease eventually loses the ability to participate in their own care, putting an even greater burden on their family.

This year, the challenges faced by Alzheimer’s caregivers are even bigger. COVID-19 has made everything hard and the required self-isolation is making people lonelier. As we head into our eighth month of quarantine, we hope to use this time to call needed attention on the impact the pandemic is having on our community.

Our clients are the group of people most vulnerable to the coronavirus and the people caring for them must take even greater precautions to keep themselves safe and healthy. And, leaving a person with dementia home alone is a safety risk, so even things like running to the market or getting to a doctor’s appointment have become nearly impossible.

For a person living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, the changes to their routine can be confusing and frustrating. And this can lead to agitation or other challenging behaviors, like Sundowning.

And, with the holidays just around the corner, feelings of loneliness and isolation can become heightened. All in all, everything about caregiving for a person with dementia is harder now.

We hope you will join us this month in raising awareness about both Alzheimer’s disease and the impact on our caregivers.

Alzheimer’s Los Angeles is committed to supporting and educating caregivers and to providing high-quality engagement opportunities for people with the disease. Whatever you may be going through, we can help. Call us today.