The Longest Day

The Longest Day of the year is the summer solstice.  It is the day with the most amount of light.  It is a day that seems like it will not end.  Alzheimer’s caregivers can certainly relate to days that seem like they last forever and not because they are filled with light.  For most Alzheimer’s caregivers, days seem much longer than the normal 24 hours. Before the pandemic, an Alzheimer’s caregivers’s day could often feel like 36 hours.  During our recent COVID-19 pandemic, this 36 hours has expanded to feel like 56.  Can you imagine 56 hours of: 

• The same questions or same stories over and over 
• Having to help with basic tasks 
• Having to provide 24/7 supervision for safety 
• Often not even being able to be alone long enough to go to the bathroom or take a shower? 

In recognition of all that caregivers are and do for their loved ones, Alzheimer’s Services is celebrating The Longest Day with a week of virtual activities leading up to June 20.