Easing the Challenge Facing Caregivers

Alzheimer’s disease is devastating, and family members who care for people with dementia face particular stress. They may feel they are “running a marathon without ever seeing the finish line,” said Lisa P. Gwyther, associate professor at Duke University Medical Center and cochair of the North Carolina Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia. “The burden can be great, information insufficient and doubt overwhelming.”

The task force is expected to release a report in April recommending action steps for policymakers and organizations that assist people with dementia and their families. AARP serves on the task force and is urging lawmakers to start by passing legislation that would allow North Carolina courts to recognize guardianship established across state lines.

North Carolina is home to 150,000 people with Alzheimer’s, a number expected to reach 210,000 by 2025.