Author: Lupita Vavalle
My connection to Alzheimer’s began over 20 years ago when my father was diagnosed with the disease in Mexico. At the time, I was living in Chicago, and I had never heard the word “Alzheimer’s” before. Faced with the uncertainty of his diagnosis, I knew I needed to educate myself. I began researching the disease and found helpful resources through Rush University Medical Center and their programs. The more I learned, the more I realized the immense challenges my family was about to face.
I shared what I discovered with my family back in Mexico, and together we watched as my father’s health slowly changed. My mother became his full-time caregiver, caring for him around the clock, but she had no experience managing the progression of a disease as complex as Alzheimer’s. None of us did. As the disease advanced, we were forced to make difficult decisions regarding his care, health, and finances. The uncertainty weighed heavily on us, and those years were some of the most challenging times we had ever experienced.
My father lived with Alzheimer’s for 13 years. Each year brought new obstacles as his condition worsened. My mother, who cared for him tirelessly, carried an emotional and physical burden that is hard to describe. When my father passed away 8 years ago, it felt like we had lost not just him, but a piece of our family’s foundation.
But our journey with dementia wasn’t over. Shortly after my father’s death, my mother was diagnosed with dementia herself. We found ourselves once again facing tough decisions about her care and how to support her through the later stages of her life. Just as with my father, there were moments of confusion, frustration, and heartache. My mother passed away two years ago, bringing an end to a long battle that affected our family for nearly two decades.
Looking back, those years taught me so much about resilience, love, and the importance of being informed. The Alzheimer’s journey is not easy, and it doesn’t just affect the person diagnosed—it impacts the entire family. The knowledge I gained, the resources I found, and the support of those around us made a difference in how we faced this difficult path. Today, I remain committed to sharing my story in the hopes that it might help others navigating their own Alzheimer’s journey.
The Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter will host a special community conference aimed at raising awareness in the Hispanic Community about Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, while providing a space for education, support, and hope. The event, titled "Bringing the Light to Alzheimer’s and Dementia," will take place on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Instituto del Progreso Latino in Chicago, IL. The conference is designed to help caregivers, future caregivers, and healthcare professionals gain valuable insights, resources, and tools to navigate the dementia journey.
This event will feature a panel of caregivers sharing their personal stories, breakout sessions led by experts, and open conversations covering key topics such as:
Making Difficult Decisions during the Caregiving Journey
Finding Resources & Advocating as a Caregiver
Risk Factors and Challenges Our Community Faces with Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Join us in Bringing the Light as we come together to fight Alzheimer’s and dementia through understanding, Acompañamiento, and equity for our community.
For more information or to register for the event, visit www.alzillinois.org/alzbringingthelight
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