Caregiver Connection
Stories & Resources to Help You Help Others

My Journey with Sumi
by Kanu "KC" Mehta

A firsthand account of caring for his wife of 46 years, Sumi, diagnosed with younger onset Alzheimer's disease
In 2013, at age 59, Sumi was diagnosed with younger onset Alzheimer’s disease. KC, a former engineering executive at Chrysler, had been happily married to Sumi for more than 40 years but done little caregiving. He hoped for a misdiagnosis, read all the books he could and eventually turned to soul searching and reflection to get them both through the first three years of their journey. At first, he wanted to change Sumi, but he learned that  he  needed to change to best meet her needs.

He first wrote formally about Sumi’s disease in 2015. Family and friends encouraged him to write more. He now writes a WhatsApp journal called, My Journey with Sumi , that allows him to channel his feelings, document changes, and share a glimpse into their lives with close family and friends. He writes “in the moment” without much dwelling on it or fine tuning, to help process his emotions. He finds it therapeutic. 

KC shares these writings with Caregiver Connection to increase awareness of Alzheimer's disease and help others in similar situations find solace. We will send essays every week or two and hope that you, like us, are touched and inspired. Because of the urgent Covid-19 crisis now upon us, we begin in the present and will then go back to the beginning.
Caregiver Empowerment

Easy-to-Follow Training on Important Caregiving Issues

If you are worried about caring for a relative or friend, especially how to protect them financially, we can help. The Institute of Gerontology has launched a new caregiver section on its Older Adult Nest Egg website . "For Family & Friends" offers free resources and training videos to help anyone who is caring for someone else.

  • Holding Difficult Conversations
  • Detecting Early Cognitive Decline
  • Managing Someone Else's Money
  • Detecting Financial Exploitation

Hannan Center Hotline Open
Detroit's Hannan Center is closed to programming due to Covid-19, but the Zena Baum Senior Service hotline is open with remote monitoring. Family Support Coordinator Ann Lepkowski (586-307-5717), and Hannan's social work interns, are available by phone or email for family caregivers in need. Phone care coaching is also available.
Monday – Friday, 9 am-5 pm
HOTLINE: 734-309-7891 or EMAIL:  msmith@hannan.org

Help with Scams, Fraud, Identity Theft & Managing Money as a Caregiver

Stay protected during the Coronavirus outbreak.
No need for an in-person visit.

Successful Aging thru Financial Empowerment (SAFE) provides  FREE  financial coaching to older adults and their caregivers to manage money securely and accurately. Schedule an appointment with Program Director LaToya Hall to talk by phone or computer now: l.hall@wayne.edu or 313-664-2608 . Assistance is safe, confidential and free.