Free virtual symposium set for millennial dementia caregivers

“My wife’s father was diagnosed in 2013 with early-onset Alzheimer's. At the time, we were still in college getting ready to graduate,” said Cody Medina, Community Engagement Manager, Diversity Specialist for the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter. “I didn’t have much support. I felt like there wasn’t enough conversation about this topic at college. So I thought there have to be so many younger caregivers in my position that feel the same way.”

Medina is the organizer of the Hudson Valley Chapter’s younger caregiver symposium, “A Glimpse into the Life of a Younger Caregiver,” which will be held virtually from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 7.

Medina said it is a common assumption that younger people are less affected by dementia.

“Whenever people think of caregivers, they automatically assume it is someone who is a bit older ... generally individuals over 45. With the younger caregiver symposium, we’re essentially tailoring our focus to individuals 18-45,” Medina said.

“The overall purpose is letting people know that they are not alone. There’s a community of people around them going through similar situations,” he added, noting that the event also seeks to make sure younger caregivers know about the programs and services offered by the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter.

The virtual symposium will include presentations from three featured speaker-panelists. Amy LaFleur, a speech language pathologist for the New York City Department of Education, will talk about the millennial caregiving experience; Teresa Santos, behavioral health care manager for the Memory Disorders Center and Montefiore Center for the Aging Brain, will speak on fears millennials have about Alzheimer’s; and Dr. Jessica Zwerling, associate director of neurology for Montefiore Center for the Aging Brain, will speak about healthy aging and caregiver stress.

LaFleur got involved with the symposium through her work as president of the Young Professionals Alzheimer’s Council, an organization affiliated with the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter for people under 40 who are devoted to the cause. The organization holds networking events, fundraisers and other activities to help those living with dementia and their caregivers. LaFleur’s presentation will highlight demographic information about millennial caregivers as well as some of the challenges young caregivers face socially, financially and educationally.

Caregiving became important to LaFleur, both from a personal and career standpoint when in 2012, her mother was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia. Since then, she and her father have become active caregivers.

LaFleur said it can be difficult for younger caregivers to find a balance between one’s life and caregiving for a loved one in need.

“Millennials are most likely to be working while caregiving.” LaFleur said, “Younger caregivers are less likely to share with their employer that they are spending all this energy and time — on average over 20 hours a week — caring for someone in their family.”

She added that this can result in decreased time management skills leading to negative feedback professionally, such as being passed over for promotions. But she also noted that millennials are resilient and comfortable finding assistance on the web.

“As a whole, millennials are more willing to seek out resources, look for more information and formulate their own social circles,” LaFleur said.

Since the symposium is virtual for the second year in a row, younger caregivers are able to easily tune into it online.

“You can access the event on your phone, laptop, iPad. It’s a very adaptable type of platform to utilize,” Medina said. “I can’t wait for that day.”

To register for the symposium, call the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter at 800.272.3900 or click here.

About the Hudson Valley Chapter
The Hudson Valley Chapter serves families living with dementia in seven counties in New York, including Duchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester. To learn more about the programs and services offered locally, visit alz.org/hudsonvalley.
About the Alzheimer’s Association.

About the Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Its vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all dementia. Visit alz.org.