Jeb Bush - Family Touched by Alzheimer's Disease

Every one of us can be touched by Alzheimer's disease. And at anytime.

A good thing is when a person who has the ability to get to a large audience, does something to get out the message: "We must get serious about treating and curing Alzheimer's Disease!"

Just the other day, Presidential contender Jeb Bush said that his mother-in-law, Josefina Gallo Esquivel, is living with Alzheimer's. He asked for people to email him if they have ideas or suggestions as to how to deal with this growing issue. Regarding dementia, Mr. Bush is quoted as saying:  “It’s not uncommon, I mean this is a huge problem.”

Well we are all glad he gets the fact that it is a huge problem, and God bless him. Just as good is that others are joining in on getting the message out.

One person that responded to his request, and is known by many, was Ms. Maria Shriver and she had four suggestions for Mr. Bush that may have some weight. Ms. Shriver has talked about the growing concern we all must have with the disease, among other things producing a PSA on the subject "We Challenge You to Help Us Wipe Out Alzheimer’s Now". She has also lent her support to the not-for-profit Alzheimer's Association.

An outline of four of the suggestions she had and has published for Mr. Bush are:

1. Make Alzheimer's disease and the need for increased federal research to find a cure a centerpiece of your Presidential campaign.
2. Become a champion for FDA reform of the drug trial approval process, ensuring that our government reduces the time it will take for safe and effective Alzheimer's drugs... 'to get into the hands of American families.'
3. Much like President Kennedy launched an expedition to the moon, why not...tap the best and the brightest to join you. Parkinson's, depression, Autism, PTSD, ALS and so many other diseases are ravaging our brains as well. Let's all come together to try and find cures. 
4. Talk about the role of caregivers in our society and their importance. Make sure that those who find themselves in a caregiving field as a career make a living wage... They need support.

The fourth suggestion to Mr. Bush I have listed is the one I would like to here emphasize. Ruth Anne has posted here in the past about becoming a Personal Caregiver, not only out of love, but as a career. Many people are lucky enough to do what they love for a living. However most of us have to be practical, and in order to accomplish this as a goal, if you desire to become a caregiver as a living, you must be able to make it a sustainable living.
 

Ask Those Who Have A Voice:
"Make a Caregiving Career a Living Wage Career".

Today, for most people who are caregivers as a means of living, the fact is they are not making a sustainable living. Many find that though they love the field of caring for someone and enhancing the lives of people in their later years, the practical reward - the money - is not a living wage. It is rare for one to say that caregiving supports oneself in a good way of life. Some find a second income a necessity.

As caregiving for those in later years of life becomes increasingly in demand, this may change. In the mean time don't wait if you choose this as a career. Do some things to make a difference, to make caregiving a rewarding career in all the ways you desire. Check out one post Ruth Anne has written on the subject of your resume and what you can do to highlight your qualities as a caring and competent professional.

Independent Caregivers: Beef Up Your Resume'

Thank you,
Will Branning
 



You can read the New York Times article with Jeb Bush's announcement online here at : 
Jeb Bush Opens Up About Mother-in-Law’s Alzheimer’s

You can email Mr. Jeb Bush here at:
Jeb@jeb.org