Seth Rogen, comedic actor and self-described “lazy man-child” testified before a Senate hearing on Alzheimer’s research last month. His testimony, which was deeply heartfelt yet engagingly funny, tackled the need for more funding, more research and the need to de-stigmafy Alzheimer’s and other memory loss diseases.
Rogen gained first-hand experience with Alzheimer’s disease through his now- wife, Lauren Miller’s mother, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in her 50s. By the age 60, Rogen told the committee, his mother-in-law “After forgetting who she and her loved ones were…then forgot how to speak, feed herself, dress herself and go to the bathroom herself”
In an effort to raise funds, he and his wife established Hilarity for Charity, comic and music events designed to raise money and awareness of Alzheimer’s and other memory diseases among the younger generation. They also started HFC U, a nationwide program that encourages and supports college groups to “throw their very own Hilarity for Charity events to raise awareness and much needed funds for fighting Alzheimer’s Disease.”
“Americans whisper the word ‘Alzheimer’s’ because their government whispers the word ‘Alzheimer’s,’ and although a whisper is better than the silence that the Alzheimer’s community has been facing for decades, it’s still not enough,” Rogen said. “I dream of a day when my charity is no longer necessary and I can go back to being the lazy, self-involved man-child I was meant to be.”
Deaths from Alzheimer’s and related diseases have increased over 70% over the last 15 years. Here are some facts about Alzheimer’s (from Hilarity for Charity):
- Today more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Another American develops Alzheimer’s disease every 68 seconds.
- By 2050, as many as 16 million Americans will have the disease and an American will develop the disease every 33 seconds.
- Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States.
- Alzheimer’s is the only cause of death among the top 10 in America without a way to prevent, cure, or even slow its progression.
Seniors who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease will also need to plan ahead for long-term care needs because Medicare does not pay for long-term care. The Alzheimer’s Association programs are helpful in assisting families to plan for senior care needs. You can learn about nursing home daily costs nationwide on Caregiverlist. Caregiver training also assists with learning caregiver skills in order to deliver quality care to seniors. Caregiverlist also provides a basic online caregiver training course to help you on your way to a career in senior caregiving.
