Written by Sophie Bebeau on Fri Feb 17 2023.
Caregiver: Brandon F.
He’s caring for: His mother
Best tip for other caregivers: Support groups allow you to take care of yourself and process emotions that you side aside while caregiving
Brandon was just like any other 19-year-old: attending his first year of college and living life when his mother was diagnosed with frontal temporal dementia. As the condition progressed and she began to need care, Brandon dropped out of college to become her caregiver. At barely 20 years old, he became her primary caregiver, providing 24-hour care, managing her doctor appointments, and taking over all the household responsibilities she could no longer manage.
His sister, Brienna, notes that in addition to making their mom's health and happiness his number one priority, he also provided Brienna with unconditional support as she made her way through college.
Like many young adults, Brandon, now 25, is now working hard to finish his bachelor's degree, but unlike many of his peers, he also has the unique responsibility of caregiving for his mother on top of taking classes. To fill in gaps when he is at school, Brandon has had to hire additional caregiving help.
The growing expense of outside caregiving help, medical bills, mortgage payments, and daily living costs have put an increasing financial strain on the family. But despite these challenges, Brandon still makes giving his mom the best quality of life his daily mission.
Through his care journey, he has learned to navigate public benefits, health insurance, and patient resources and has become very familiar with frontal temporal dementia. To help others, he has joined the board of directors of a non-profit that aims to cure diseases related to mutations of the Valosin Containing Protein (VCP) gene, which causes frontal temporal dementia.
We believe in highlighting caregivers' stories and all of the incredible work caregivers do on a daily basis. If you want to share, please reach out to our Care Team at (800) 696-CARE or email support@carewell.com.
Carol B. was awarded the title of Companion Caregiver Hero after she became the caregiver of her friend of 45 years when she began needing care, without a second thought.
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The caregiving community voted to award Brionne C. with the People's Caregiver Hero Award for her selfless dedication to her son's progress which began after he was discharged from the hospital and finally able to go home at 19 months old.
Read More >Sophie Bebeau is a writer, graphic designer, poet, and multidisciplinary artist living in Green Bay, Wisconsin. When she’s not writing or making things for the internet, she can be found cross-stitching, writing poetry, and snuggling on the couch with a cup of tea and her husband, son, and dog, Buttercup.