LISTEN: During its annual Mental Health Forum the Carter Center addressed the toll that caregiving can have on mental health. The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers is now partnering with the Carter Center’s mental health program to address those needs. GPB’s Ellen Eldridge reports.
Carter family member Josh Carter spoke about his grandmother Rosalynn’s legacy of supporting family caregivers.
Statistics show nearly every Georgian will be or will need a caregiver during their lifetimes.
Josh Carter's family is no exception. In 2020, his son spent 40 days hospitalized with a rare inflammatory bowel, described as like a toddler's version of Crohn's disease only more aggressive and harder to treat.
After trying 15 or so different medications over two and a half years, they finally found one that worked, Carter said.
"But the cost of this medication is — if you don't have insurance, that will cover it — $24,241.98 a month, which is a lot," he said.
Other topics addressed at the forum included mental health parity and safety in public schools.
