CUMBERLAND — Witnessing a loved one suffer and endure the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s disease is a constant heartbreak. The disease robs its victims of everything — memories, judgment and independence.

The progressive and fatal brain disorder causes problems with thinking and behavior for its victims. It robs its victims of their individuality, their autonomy and their dignity.

“We feel Alzheimer’s disease has not been given the attention that other chronic diseases have been given and that some people think it is a normal part of aging. However, many younger people under the age of 65 are developing Alzheimer’s. I think we have to destigmatize the disease,” said Cathy Hanson, social worker and program coordinator of the Greater Maryland Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Every 70 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimers, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.  

While the disease affects caregivers in every way possible — including emotionally, physically and financially — possibly the worst effect is watching a loved one be consumed by the disease.

A 16-page report titled Generation Alzheimer’s — the defining disease of the baby boomers was recently published by the Alzheimer’s Association and may be accessed at www.alz.org. The report outlines the human and financial cost Alzheimer's will have on the baby boom generation.

“Unless we find a treatment or a cure, Alzheimer’s will become the defining disease of the Baby Boom Generation,” the report states. “They will be Generation Alzheimer’s. Today, 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. But it’s only going to get worse — and fast. The first of the baby boomers are now turning 65. By 2030, the U.S. population aged 65 and over is expected to double, meaning there will be more and more Americans with Alzheimer’s — as many as 16 million by mid-century, when there will be nearly 1 million new cases every year.”

As the number of victims of Alzheimer’s continues to increase, so does the demand for caregiving. Most caregivers rate the emotional strain as “high or very high,” according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

A 77-year-old Garrett County man, whose identity is being withheld in respect of confidentiality, now spends his days taking care of his wife, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.

“The whole situation is basically a management problem. Manage it and make choices that will keep it in order,” he said.

The retired foreman said he appreciates the help of his children and grandchildren in providing constant care for his wife, who is a retired educator.

“I’ve been involved with my family all my life and am used to family obligations.

“You can’t always say the obvious and you can’t always tell the truth and that is hard to do. I try to keep my wife on the positive side and keep her cheerful and happy. She is sad so much,” he said.

An Alzheimer’s disease support group at the Allegany County Health Department provides crucial support.

“Whenever we meet and you hear what others are going through, you see your situation not as difficult as some others and that helps you deal with it,” he said.

An 81-year-old Frostburg woman also relies on the help of family and friends in caring for her 82-year-old husband, who is a victim of Alzheimer’s.

“Every case is different. During the day, my husband recognizes me, but at night he doesn’t know who I am and where he is. ... We go out in the car twice a day and we take my husband to his office every day where he sits at his desk. It’s something familiar to him and it seems to calm him down.

“For me, the support of family is always there and that is important and gives me someone to talk to.

“The support group I attend allows you a chance to talk about it. Some feel guilty for having to put their loved one in a nursing home. It also helps us to look forward and what to expect from one stage of the disease to the next.

“I find the support group very helpful and they show good videos that are helpful. All the people in the support group are caregivers and are friendly and warm. They are husbands, brothers, children of victims.

“I just pray to the Lord every day that I hold out,” she said.

Richard Koch of Frostburg provides 24-hour care for his wife, Sharon, who founded the Frostburg Meals on Wheels program 31 years ago. The program no longer operates due to the lack of volunteers and the necessity of Richard’s caregiving responsibilities at home.

“Communication is the biggest problem. Quite often you may think they are saying yes when they mean no. And victims of Alzheimer’s don’t really absorb and process information as they once did. That is quite hurtful and causes extra work,” said the retired Allegany Ballistics Laboratory worker.

Koch said he has not joined a support group because he has not had the time to leave his caregiving duties. His children reside out of the area but provide as much support as they can to their mother and father.

An Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group has operated at the Allegany County Health Department since 1983.

"The Support Group allows caregivers to meet with and talk with other caregivers who are familiar with their situation and want to help each other,” said Stacie Miller, a social worker with the Adult Evaluation and Review Services Unit who has overseen the program as its facilitator since 2006.

“The caregivers often bring questions with them to the group to gain insight from others who have experienced similar situations. Questions often involve the behaviors Alz-heimer patients display, such as wandering or avoidance of showers and bath time; medications to treat Alzheimer’s; or services available to help the caregivers, such as Senior Care or Adult Medical Day Care.

“The time caregivers spend with support groups for caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients allow them respite from their loved one and an opportunity to connect with others who can help them take better care of their self and their loved one,” said Miller.

Hanson said there is a need for people to get involved as advocates of Alzheimer’s disease victims and that there is a great need for more research. “We need to find a meaningful way to deal with this disease,” she said.

More information is available at www.alz.org/maryland. The support group at the health department may be contacted at 301-759-5210.

Contact Jeffrey Alderton at jlalderton@times-news.com.