As the U.S. population continues to age, the caregiving burden will only continue to increase. At some point in their lives, many individuals will take on the role of caring for friends, family members, or others. For some, this may be in a professional capacity, and for others, an act of love. AMWA launched this initiative in 2020 to raise awareness, provide resources, and most importantly, sound a call to action for a growing public health issue — the importance of caring for the caregiver. In 2024, the Center for Medicare Services will implement Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model to support patients with dementia and their unpaid caregivers. Learn more

President Biden issued a proclamation this year in honor of National Family Caregivers Month.

Community, Connections, and Caregiving: AMWA Celebrates November National Family Caregivers Month

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In partnership with The Federation of Medical Women of Canada, AMWA Presents: 

Wine, Women, & Dementia

Don’t miss this poignant, hilarious, and honest portrayal of caregiving and dementia.
Click here to view trailer.

On-Demand Viewing: Nov. 11-28
Live Discussion with Filmmaker Kitty Norton: Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 8pm ET

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Summary: Wine, Women, & Dementia provides a poignant and intimate look into the human side of dementia. This film follows the journey of former dementia family caregiver and filmmaker, Kitty Norton, as she embarks on a cross-country RV adventure with her best friend, Beth Rigazio, to meet the dementia family caregivers who provided virtual friendship and encouragement through their shared caregiver experiences. Through these face-to-face encounters, Norton seeks to deepen her understanding of the caregiving experience, and highlight the vital support that caregivers provide to one another, despite the physical distance between them.

“It’s a roadtrip connecting the disconnected – because until there’s a cure, there’s community.”

Sponsorship Opportunities (on registration form): Gold $500+  Silver $250+  Bronze $100+  Friend $25+

Blog Post – A Physician’s Perspective: Riderwood Village Apt. PV-402 – Tuesday, October 24, 2023

My mother was a New York City public school teacher and guidance counselor for over 30 years, a real force to be reckoned with. When I was 5 years old, she threatened to cut my hair if I refused to let her brush it.  I ended up with a very short haircut.

I grew up to be a general internist and hospital administrator.  None of my training or experience or years as a parent prepared me for having to wrestle with my mom over her shampooing, bathing, and dressing, now that she’s 90 years old and suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease.

Here’s a glimpse of one evening in that struggle. — Karen L. Jerome, MD      Read the Blog Post.

Personal Journey of a Family Caregiver

Susie Singer Carter advocated for her mother’s care as she declined into dementia and spent her final years in a nursing home. Susie shares her compelling experience and insights regarding the role and challenges facing a family caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s disease.

Susie is a multi-award-winning filmmaker, writer, director, producer, actor, podcast producer, host, and Alzheimer’s caregiver advocate. best known for her 2018 Oscar qualified short film, My Mom and The Girl with Valerie Harper starring in her final performance. Susie is a sought-after speaker and has appeared in several Alzheimer’s awareness campaigns for Alzheimer’s Los Angeles. She proudly emceed the 2022 San Fernando Valley Alzheimer’s Walk holding up a purple flower for her mother who passed away in July.

In 2023, AMWA hosted a screening of My Mom and the Girl and a discussion with filmmaker Susie Singer Carter.

Caregiving in Alzheimer’s Disease

Watch this on-demand presentation Caregiving in AD:  What the Physician Needs to Know. AMWA partners with CareBrains to offer guidance on managing the caregiver-physician relationship to assure you are providing the best care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Film – Caregiver: A Love Story

From 2020 – 2021, AMWA hosted a one-hour CME/CE Program (film + lecture) for physicians, nurses, and social workers. Learn how you can screen the film at your institution or hospital.

Award-winning film (Best Short Documentary, SF Jewish Film Festival 2020) by Dr. Jessica Zitter, (author of Extreme Measures: Finding a Better Path to the End of Life*). “Caregiver: A Love Story highlights an essential, yet largely unseen workforce–the family caregivers of America…When 59-year-old Bambi decides to forgo further treatment for her cancer and die at home her husband Rick leaves his job to beome her primary caregiver–a role for which he has no experience and little support.” Learn more about the film.

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