Someone you know is living with Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, one in eight people over 65 suffer from Alzheimer’s or a related dementia.

This number is expected to increase dramatically as the “graying” of America continues. In Georgia, approximately 120,000 people have Alzheimer’s, with an expected increase to 160,000 in just the next ten years.

In addition to memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease often leads to loss of judgment, disorientation, decreased ability to communicate and personality changes. Patients often need 24/7 care.

In Atlanta, nearly 200,000 of your family and friends are providing more than 200 million hours of unpaid care to people with Alzheimer’s disease this year.  Along with emotional stress and depression, caregivers can suffer diminished health, income and loss of financial security.

Since 2005, Jewish Family & Career Services (JF&CS) has received funding from the Ramie A. Tritt Family Transportation and Caregiver Program to provide a critical life-line of support services for  almost 100 older adults and their caregivers juggling the challenges created by the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.  JF&CS services reach clients in 10 metro counties, representing all ethnic backgrounds and religions (27% Jewish / 73% other).  Program services include a needs assessment, education and ongoing case management support for the caregiver as well as financial assistance to purchase services the caregiver or family may need.  Services like respite, medication, house cleaning and repairs, in-home care and transportation for their loved ones.  The program has helped many families by reducing caregiver stress and enabling individuals with Alzheimer’s disease to remain in their homes.

Client Stories

Jerry is 72 years old and retired from his job, with a new full-time caregiver role for his wife of 35 years. He knows about commitment. His wife, Julia, was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 57. Although life has changed dramatically, he loves caring for his “beautiful bride,” his favorite name for her. And then, another medical arrow to the heart was presented recently: Julia was diagnosed with cancer. Jerry receives some support from the Church where they are long-standing members and their children are supportive but live out of town. The vouchers he receives from the Ramie A. Tritt Family Transportation & Caregiver Services Program are life-savers. He is able to pay for respite services so that he can go to the grocery store and perform those essential errands to maintain their home. He also joined the caregiver support group made possible through the Program. Having these kinds of understanding communications has truly become a life-line for him.

As a mom with a full time job, Annette thought she had her hands full with two teenagers in middle school. Both are bright, and both quite popular, which serves to make her life busier. But when Annette’s 85-year-old grandfather, known affectionately as Granddaddy, suddenly could not longer live on his own, the world as she knew it turned upside down. Granddaddy has been a fighter, battling numerous illnesses over the years. Yet it was the diagnosis of dementia that brought him to live with Annette and her children. Granddaddy can no longer feed himself or bathe on his own, all happening within a few months time. Annette could not maintain the job that keeps all of them supported without the Ramie A. Tritt Family Transportation & Caregiver Services Program. It actually helps to pay for community caregivers to stay with Granddaddy. Annette expresses her gratitude every time she schedules the support.

After years of a rocky relationship with his father, Thomas never expected to find himself taking care of him as if he were a child. Thomas was notified that his father had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and could no longer live on his own. While most people have an understanding of the disease, Thomas’s role as a medical professional has given him more exposure to the issues than most see, and of course his work schedule presents particular challenges for the pressures of such caregiving. The Ramie A. Tritt Family Transportation & Caregiver Services Program has made it possible for Thomas to maintain his own senses while struggling to balance between his demanding profession and the escalating needs of his father. Thomas uses his vouchers to pay for transportation services and for Jewish Family & Career Services’ Legacy Home Care; the relationship that has formed between his father and the caregiver has given Thomas a priceless sense of peace.