There are currently over 44 million Americans providing unpaid care for a loved one over 18 years of age with an illness or disability. Unless you are one of those caregiver's or are close with someone who is, it's hard to understand the life of a caregiver.

As some of you know, I also write for the Alzheimer's Reading Room. Today Bob DeMarco posted a story titled "Dementia leaves daughter feeling scared and alone" http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/12/dementia-leaves-daughter-feeling-scared.html. I encourage you to read Richlyn Spalding's story.

Although Richlyn resides with her parents in Canada, this is a duplicate story of other families living right here in our own community. This is the story of thousands, even possibly millions across the US. I have been in homes with families going through the same crisis as Richlyn right here in Ann Arbor.

Can you imagine for just a moment being in Richlyn's shoes, or maybe you are? Every 70 seconds someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's. If you are not in Richlyn's shoes, you may be in the future. If you have read her story you have to agree that she needs help, her parents need help.

There is little offered to the unpaid caregiver's in the US caring for a loved one with dementia. Recently, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congresswoman Maxine Waters introduced legislation that would improve treatment services for Alzheimer's patients and expand training and support services for their families and caregivers. To read more about the specifics go to http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/11/senator-kirsten-gillibrand-introduces.html

We, at the Alzheimer's Reading Room are forging The Million Email Crusade for Alzheimer's to support legislation and assistance to the millions of caregiver's and their family member's with Alzheimer's. http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2009/12/alzheimers-million-email-crusade.html

Family caregiver's are in dire need of our help and our voices to raise awareness of their situation and lack of support and resources so legislation like Senator Gillibrands will pass.

If you could take the time to write your Senators http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm and Representatives https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml in the midst of the holiday season it would be one of the greatest gifts you could give the family's who are scared and alone like Richlyn's. In the end, it may be a gift you have given yourself.

To reach Angil Tarach with questions or comments email visitingangelswc@comcast.net, or for a free care assessment call Visiting Angels at (734) 929-9201