Care Givers: Health Story

Aired on Superstation WGN
Saturday, March 26 and June 25, 2005

Show 209

Nicole Mittons' father George was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 1998. She and her sister Theresa became his caretakers, joining the almost 12 million Americans who are care givers.  "First, he had loss of short term memory, but than Alzheimer's began to affect his physical abilities. We chose to be primary care givers not really knowing the road ahead," says Nicole. The stress of caring for a loved one can weaken the immune system and helplessness is the most common emotion of many caretakers. "Self care for care givers is not a priority because there is so much to do," says Sharon Grayer of the Alzheimer's Association. "I was used to living by myself," says Theresa. She and her sister desperately needed outside help and were fortunate enough to find Leeza Gibbon's Memory Foundation where they and their father participated in scrap-booking and memory television, two popular projects the foundation offers. "It has empowered us to ask for help. It has brought us together," says Nicole.