Most caregivers never expected to be in that role. It isn’t something we plan for. The reality is maybe we should.
It may be short term, like after a parent has knee replacement, or it may be for years if a parent or spouse is diagnosed with dementia. Either way, it may seem overwhelming at first. Learn as much as you can about the disease that your family member has been diagnosed with and gather your resources including friends and family, as well as professional at-home caregivers who will assist you with caregiving, and know you are not alone. Here is a list of celebrities that you may not have realized are sharing or have shared the same caregiving experience with you.
- The Baldwin Brothers. All four brothers, along with their sisters, helped to care for their mother during her battle with breast cancer. They have helped to raise over $3 million for the Carol Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund, which they founded.
- Rob Lowe. Rob is an advocate for male caregivers. He was inspired by his grandfather who cared for Rob’s grandmother for many years. Rob used what he observed in his grandfather when caring for his own father.
- Joan Lunden. Joan, a journalist and former TV anchorwoman, cared for her father and brother before becoming the primary caregiver for her mother. Her focus has been advocating and assisting with researching and obtaining good assisted living and senior care.
- Joey McIntyre. As a member of New Kids on the Block, Joey is a huge advocate of the Alzheimer’s Association. His mother has Alzheimer’s, and he serves as her caregiver.
- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Dwayne was his mother’s caregiver during her fight against lung cancer. He suggests looking for things to be grateful for because there is always something.
- Patrick Dempsey. This star of Grey’s Anatomy cared for his mother during her fight against ovarian cancer. He commuted from Los Angeles to Maine to be with her during treatments. He has since built the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing to assist other families going through the same process.
- Holly Robinson Peete. This actress cares for her son who has autism and her father who has Parkinson’s disease. Her HollyRod Foundation offers other families living with autism or Parkinson’s disease help and hope through compassionate care.
- Seth Rogen. This popular comedian and his wife founded the annual Hilarity for Charity event in which he and other comedians and actors help raise funds and awareness of Alzheimer’s disease. Seth and his wife are the primary caregivers for his mother-in-law who is afflicted with the disease.
- Henry Winkler. Henry Winkler, better known as “The Fonz,” helped his sister care for his mother for ten years after she suffered a stroke. He now serves as an ambassador for the Open Arms: Raising Awareness of the Upper Limb Spasticity educational campaign. He suggests that caregivers will need tenacity. Focus on the tiniest positives because it is so easy to just give up.
- Queen Latifah. Queen Latifah is caring for her mother who has chronic heart failure while she fights an autoimmune disease, scleroderma. They work with the American Heart Association to raise awareness about the condition her mother has.
- Peter Gallagher. For more than 20 years, Peter was caregiver for his mother who had Alzheimer’s. Peter points out that “An Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be as devastating to the caregiver as to the person diagnosed.” He advocates learning as much about the disease as possible to help yourself in the role of a dementia caregiver.
- Bryan Cranston. Bryan Cranston of Breaking Bad has become a strong advocate for Alzheimer’s research after caring for his mother who was diagnosed with the disease.
- Rosalynn Carter. The former first lady has worked to bring awareness and support to caregivers through her Institute for Caregiving. She herself served as caregiver to several family members, including both her father when she was only 12 years old and her mother in later years. She also authored a book on caregiving entitled Helping Yourself Help Others: A Book for Caregivers. Rosalynn is considered a pioneer of the caregiving movement.
- Maria Shriver. Maria helped care for her father who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She has since become a champion of Alzheimer’s caregivers. She recently co-authored an Alzheimer’s study with the Alzheimer’s Association.
- Meredith Vieira. Meredith’s husband was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Meredith suggests finding the comedy amid the tragedy. She says that humor is essential and that if you can find something to laugh about it will help you get through.
- Victor Manuelle. This hit salsa singer is a caregiver for his father who has Alzheimer’s. Manuelle has discussed the challenges faced by families when their loved one is diagnosed with dementia. He dedicated his song “Algo Le Pasa a Mi Heroe (Something’s Wrong With My Hero)” to his father.
- Louise Penny. Louise Penny is a best-selling writer of mysteries and is also caregiver for her husband who has dementia. Her husband Michael is a former scientist and professor of medicine. Louise has spoken about his condition and her own conflicting emotions as his caregiver.
- Liz Hernandez. Liz is the host of Access Hollywood. She also shares caregiving with other family members for her mom who has Alzheimer’s and now requires 24–hour care. Liz has become an advocate for Alzheimer’s patients.
- Frank Langella. This actor received a Tony Award for his role in The Father, a play about a man battling dementia. Frank has stated that his brother Andy gave him the insight into this role. His brother is suffering from dementia, and Frank is one of the family caregivers for his brother.
- Amy Grant. This country music singer’s father suffers with dementia. Amy and her three sisters are the “caregiver team” that provide dementia caregiving.
- Dan Gasby. Dan cares for his wife B. Smith, an acclaimed restaurateur who is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Dan has said it is “definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.” They co-authored a book in 2016 entitled Before I Forget: Love, Hope, Help, and Acceptance in Our Fight Against Alzheimer’s.
There are many more celebrities who are also caregivers. No one is exempt. The message from this list is that you are not alone. Reach out for help from the various organizations like AARP or the Alzheimer’s Association. Support the various activities that donate their proceeds to finding a cure or supporting the caregiver.
