Columbia, S.C. (WACH)-- Alzheimer's caregivers and advocates come to gather from across the state in hopes of raising awareness about the disease and the importance of continued financial support from state legislator.
Organizers say the motivation behind Alzheimer's Action day at the State House is to ensure funding for the Alzheimer's Caregiver Respite Program. The program, which is currently funded through the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, is one of several groups experiencing budget problems, according to the organization.
The Alzheimer's Caregiver Respite Program helps family caregivers take a temporary break from their full-time responsibilities in an effort to perserve their own physical, emotional and mental health while caring for a loved one with dementia.
“We are very fortunate to have the Alzheimer’s Caregiver Respite Program in South Carolina, and we have seen thousands of family caregivers dramatically benefit from using it,” said Cindy Alewine, President/CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association – South Carolina Chapter. “In fact, 96% of program participant surveyed indicate that respite care made their caregiving situations more manageable. I can tell you that these services are more urgently needed than ever before, and with an estimated 162,350 Alzheimer’s caregivers in South Carolina, demand will only increase.”
The program serves 1800 recipients annually, and the demand for the service continues to grow despite the poor economic climate, according to the association.
According to Alzheimer's Association, an estimated 80,000 South Carolinians are now living with the disease or related dementia, with as many as 100,000 affected by 2025.
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