Lexington Family of Vietnam Veteran Continues Caregiving Journey in Memoriam, Raising Awareness and Fundraising to Fight to End Alzheimer’s
Lexington Walk to End Alzheimer’s Family holds purple Promise Garden Flower in honor of father, Senior Helpers of the Bluegrass Team Captain.
Alzheimer’s disease is devastating to millions of Americans, but also more than 157,000 family caregivers in Kentucky. November is National Family Caregivers Month, offering an important reminder to support Kentucky caregivers. A Lexington shares their story of Randy Ellington, Vietnam Veteran, who returned home provided for his family, until Alzheimer’s disease eroded away at the man who proved to be solid as a rock.
Blair Huffman, daughter of Ellington, holds onto the memories she had in the final days, moments of her dad’s life. “I had the ability to be patient with him,” said Huffman. “I felt a great honor being my dad’s caregiver.”
Ellington served in Vietnam for two tours. In 2019, Ellington went through the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he got his official diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. 5 years later, after a quick progression, Huffman lost her father to the disease. Huffman enlisted her family and colleagues to show their support by fundraising for the Lexington Walk to End Alzheimer’s in honor of the late patriarch.
“I had the ability to be patient with him,” said Huffman. “I felt a great honor being my dad’s caregiver.”
Huffman and her family are seeking the help of the community as they continue to fundraise to serve other caregivers with care and support through the Alzheimer’s Association resources and programs. To support Huffman’s “Senior Helpers of the Bluegrass” team, click here.
The Alzheimer’s Association has dedicated research and resources to support Veterans and their loved ones. For more information visit, alz.org/help-support/resources/veterans-dementia
- Nearly half of a million American veterans have Alzheimer’s – and as the population ages, the rates are expected to increase.
- Veterans may be uniquely exposed to certain risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, driving high prevalence.
- The large increase in veterans with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia will place a heavy burden on the VA health care system.