Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that not only affects the patient but impacts the lives of their families. Every year, millions of people are diagnosed with this ailment, and it is common for anyone to have friends whose parents or spouses have it. Nothing is more disheartening and saddening than watching your loved one surrender to it.
Many people do not know what they should do when their loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. The task of caregiving can be rewarding, but it often becomes overwhelming and distressing with increased responsibilities, and it may become increasingly difficult to deal with any unpredictable or unusual emergency.
Although a substantial amount of information is now available, many people still find it difficult to figure out how they should cope with the emotional pressure and the challenges associated with caregiving. Joe Lucido and Sandy Lucido found themselves in a similar situation when Joe’s father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Upon encountering great caregiving challenges and realizing that many people also experience them, they founded Alzheimer’s Research Association to help caregivers of Alzheimer’s and dementia cope with their difficulties.
How It Began
Joe and Sandy began noticing that Joe’s father had started forgetting things, and his driving had suddenly become less safe. Initially, they thought it was due to the decline in his sight and hearing, which is a part of aging. However, in 1998, he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Although it was not unexpected since his siblings (two sisters and a brother) were already diagnosed with some forms of dementia, it still had a traumatic effect on the entire family. At that time, they had no idea what they must do since they did not know anything about Alzheimer’s or how to care for Alzheimer’s patients. Besides, the internet was not as developed as today, and there was minimal guidance for the new caregivers. Consequently, their primary task was to do all the research and get information on their own.
In an attempt to find some guidance for managing caregiving challenges, Joe attended a local health expo. There were few people at some booths. However, there was a long line at a particular booth which he found out was of a local organization trying to supply Alzheimer’s information. At that moment, he realized that many people were in the same shoes as them, desperately in need of help managing the disease.
Joe had lost his leg many years before and knew that several entities could assist and support him. He immediately understood that they could establish a much-needed organization that would not only assist research but would be the first to focus only on caregiver support.
The Launch of Alzheimer’s Research Association
With that realization, Joe and Sandy launched the Alzheimer’s Research Association and the accompanying website in 2010. Joe had worked in several industries, and Sandy had previously worked in senior healthcare, which helped them apply some specialized expertise to this new organization.
The chief objective of the organization was to provide caregivers with essential information and financial assistance. Therefore, they compiled a great deal of information to help caregivers manage the disease and find support. Besides, they knew how crucial financial support was since caregivers often work less or quit their jobs due to increased responsibilities associated with caregiving that leave them financially unstable. Thus, they immediately allocated a part of their funding for providing grants to the caregivers to help them ease their financial burden.
Joe and Sandy worked to expand the organization for more than ten years, but Joe died of liver cancer last year after a long and exhausting battle. Even in his final years, he continued working with caregivers to ensure that the organization continues to thrive as a source of guidance and assistance for them. It became his life’s work and his most important legacy.
About Alzheimer’s Research Association
At Alzheimer’s Research Association, we believe that the significant way to help someone with Alzheimer’s is to assist their loved ones in dealing with the challenges that have profoundly impacted their life. Our work focuses on caregivers who have dedicated themselves to the care of Alzheimer’s patients.
We are caregivers who have learned how to care for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s by error and trial and by sharing our experiences with people like us. And now, we want to help others with our experiences in combination with the latest research.
We do not perform hands-on research but compile the latest information and news about Alzheimer’s from the most reliable sources to help caregivers cope with their difficulties and provide the best care to their patients. In short, we want to empower caregivers with the information and helpful tips to minimize their problems.
Alzheimer’s Research Association also provides financial assistance to ease the financial burden of caregivers by offering grants. Caregivers can apply for grants here: https://www.alzra.org/grant-applications/.
You can be a part of our endeavor by supporting the caregivers. Help the caregivers in need with your generous donations. Donate today: https://www.alzra.org/donate-now/#donate
