San Jose day program helping caregivers better care for Alzheimer's patients
An estimated 6.9 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's dementia today, according to the National Institutes of Health.
The care they need is often provided by family members and others who are unpaid and don't have the needed resources.
For the past two years, Christine Takamoto has been taking care of Leo, a close family friend, who suffers from Dementia.
"When you do this full time, it's a lot. There is not really a break," said Takamoto.
She's an Army Veteran who served eight years and a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
She's completing her masters in psychology counseling to become a mental health therapist, while providing unpaid care.
According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 11 million family members and other unpaid caregivers provided an estimated 18.4 billion hours of care to people with Alzheimer's or other dementias in 2023.
Leo, an Army Veteran himself, is grateful for Takamoto.
"If she were not here, I'd be lonesome," said Uchiyama.
But she needed help and found some this year.
County grants and VA benefits are helping provide some professional care through The Hearts & Minds Activity Center, a dementia-specific adult day program in San Jose.
"He's able to walk better, feed himself pretty good, and can make more decisions, simple decisions on his own," said Takamoto.
With some help, Christine has found a little time for herself and a chance to breathe.
"I didn't know what to do with myself on some days in the beginning because usually I had a whole person to take care of," said Takamoto.
It's still an everyday commitment to care for Leo, but it's a sacrifice she's willing to make.
"I want to see him live out his golden years at his age. He should be able to enjoy the rest of his life," said Takamoto.
She's hoping others in similar situations will seek help that's out there.
For anyone looking for help, The Caregivers Count Conference is taking place over the next few weeks.
They are free sessions for caregivers to learn, connect, and find help.