On Remembrance Day, Alzheimer's Caregivers from Northeastern Ohio share their story with lawmakers in Ohio

CLEVELAND, OHIO – Connie Busemeyer had problems with the car and the time has run out. The road from Medina to Columbus is fast.

"Good for online content," she said, explaining that she had gone on the Internet to rent a car for a major commute.

Busemeyer felt an urgency because, as a caregiver, she wanted to represent those who could not travel to the Ohio capital for the recent Memory Day event organized by the Alzheimer's Association.

"My goal to go to the memorial feast was to be a voice for caregivers," said Busemeyer, "for family members who take care of their loved ones, 24 hours a day. 7 days a week. Those sons, daughters, husbands or wives who care for their loved ones.

"I knew I did not want to let my clients or my family fall. Memory Day – as an advocate for those who can not attend – is just one way to do more for clients, families and others who care about me by speaking up. Let's hope that in my lifetime I will see the first person cured of this disease. "

Busemeyer, who spoke with Legislative Counsel on Memory Day, advocates for those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease or other health-related illnesses at home. dementia.

On March 14, at the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda, on the occasion of Memorial Day, a luncheon was organized, followed by meetings between caregivers and their advocates, with legislators and badistants. The Alzheimer Association has been coordinating such a day every year since 1998.

"It's so powerful to meet people and hear their stories," Kenny Yuko told State Sen via email. "Memory Day has helped us better understand why we need to pbad Senate Bill 24 and create a task force to look at the impact of the disease on Ohio. We can and must help improve the lives of people with Alzheimer's disease and those who love them. "

Yuko, a Democrat representing the 25th district of the Ohio Senate – which includes parts of Cuyahoga and Lake counties – and Republican Steve Wilson of District 7 are the main sponsors of Senate Bill 24.

Ohio is the only state that does not have a comprehensive plan for Alzheimer's disease. Senate Bill 24 would create the Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias to develop a state plan to improve services for people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia and to help people who care for sick loved ones.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, about 220,000 people in Ohio have Alzheimer's. In 2017, 5,117 people died of the disease in Ohio. Alzheimer's decreases memory and other mental functions, is progressive and incurable. Treatment can help its victims – who often live years with the disease – to varying degrees.

"(Senate Bill 24) held its second hearing on March 26th at the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services and Medicaid," said Senator John Eklund (R-18) in an e-mail . "I remain hopeful that the legislature is in favor of a comprehensive plan to deal with the growing public health crisis and that the government (Mike) DeWine will sign it as soon as the measure reaches his office. "

The 67-year-old Busemeyer is a retired registered nurse who is now caring for the elderly instead of going to private homes to help people with Parkinson's disease. Alzheimer's and other diseases, such as various forms of dementia. His dead father had dementia and one of his uncles had Alzheimer's disease.

The majority of people with the disease are cared for at home by a family member or friend. The Alzheimer's Association hopes that Bill 24 on the Senate will help these caregivers.

Paula, 72, lives in Chagrin Falls with her husband, David, who is 73 years old and has Lewy body dementia, which decreases mental capacity and often includes physical symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease.

She asked that the couple's last name not be published.

"It is very difficult, sad and heartbreaking to see a loved one struggling with the daily problems of this terrible disease," said Paula, who went to Memorial Day in a bus chartered by the section. Cleveland's Alzheimer's Association. She is David's primary caregiver.

"It's a constant in your mind. Will I be able to take care of him and take care of myself so that I do not run out? Paula said.

Paula, whose mother has lived with Alzheimer's for 18 years, said one of the biggest challenges was "protecting her safety." Another scourge of this disease is that her brain does not always tell her when he is in danger, his spirit will tell him that he is often unstable and falls, some of his falls being very serious.

"We are always going to have dinner with friends. We always go to the cinema and the theater. In good weather, we go to one of the Metropark, we walk where we sit in the sun and watch people go by. "

Paula was part of a group of informal caregivers who spoke at several 20-minute sessions with representatives of the Senate and House of Ohio and helpers at Remembrance Day.

Karen D. Gorman, of Cleveland Heights, takes care of her mother, Inez Gorman, 90, at home. She took her mother with her to Statehouse and was ovationed after speaking to the 350 family helpers, lawyers and legislators.

"I think it's important for my mother to experience everything she can, and that she's involved in her job," Jones said. "I want her to be and that she experience everything that is possible.I am very proud of my mother.Although she is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, she chose to fight and do everything in her power to maintain her lifestyle and her spirit, as long as she has been, possibly can.

"Having him with me has given me the strength to speak on his behalf and for the other 220,000 people with Alzheimer's disease in Ohio. She knew we were here to tell our story and she actually commented on her journey with legislators and their representatives. "