Hi! My name is Charae Wamsley Gipson, and I am a Program Specialist with the Alzheimer’s Association Northern California and Northern Nevada Chapter. I manage a Respite Care Grant Program, offered in partnership by the Alzheimer’s Association and the state of Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division, that provides financial assistance to eligible caregivers of someone with Alzheimer’s or related dementias who are in need of a break from caregiving.
I am so proud to be an employee of the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California & Northern Nevada that continues to serve our community and caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic, by offering virtual engagement opportunities, online education programs and video support groups. Education programs, such as COVID-19 & Caregiving, have been developed to address unique challenges caregivers are currently facing and provides tips to help overcome these, whether the person living with dementia is living at home or in a residential setting. In addition, the Alzheimer’s Association has supported several statewide campaigns to bring awareness to community leaders of the negative impacts of families being unable to see their loved ones in residential care and advocates for the need of rapid testing in these communities.
On a personal note, I grew up on the east coast of Canada and recently moving to Reno, Nevada in 2017. I have personal experience caregiving for my father who lived with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) for 12 years. I learned so much caring for my father whose independence was taken away all too early. In my role with the Alzheimer’s Association, I engage with caregivers on a daily basis so representing the Alzheimer’s Association on the Nevada Caregivers Coalition was a natural involvement! Caregiving is a demanding job that is often completed by silent heroes who go unrecognized; how wonderful to be part of a group of people that specifically thank and recognize caregivers for all that they do on a daily basis.
Thank you to all caregivers, you truly are one of a kind!
