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Longest Day Events Symbolize Journey Faced by Alzheimer's Patients and Caregivers

freeimages.com/Pierre Amerlynck

Today is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. It also happens to be one of the hottest. 

Certified geriatrician Dr. Brian Heppard is hoping the symbolism drives home the point of his 6-day, 350-mile bike tour through the Finger Lakes.

The event is intended to raise funds for Alzheimer's services and research and call attention to the seemingly endless journey facing anyone diagnosed with the disease and their caretakers.

Heppard, who lost a 58-year old cousin to early-onset Alzheimer's, and whose father-in-law has been diagnosed with the disease, says respite for caregivers has been shown to delay nursing home admissions more than any medication or other factor.                     

"If friends can offer to pick up groceries or stay with the person maybe for a half an hour when somebody can go get their haircut, or maybe run an errand or two, that's a huge help that may be relatively easy for that friend."

The Rochester and Finger Lakes region chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and Lifespan offer a respite program for caregivers fueled by the efforts of more than 100 volunteers.

“Some people believe it’s the volume of work that determines whether a caretaker can sustain the effort,” Heppard said. “"But what the research shows is that it's all about the people's attitudes, so if you can reframe the work that you're doing and not feel victimized by it, but feel a sense of mission or purpose in that work, that helps people to sustain the effort as well."

Heppard and his brother are scheduled to complete their bike tour in Rochester on Thursday.  Thousands of other participants are competing in 16 hours of consecutive activities nationwide today.