Join me in providing resources for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Hello! My name is Paige Galperin, and I am a third-year communication and psychology major from Stow, Ohio. I am proud to be the first Buckeye in my family, and I come from a long line of major Ohio State fans—none more so than my grandparents, Bill and Sharon.  

I consider myself incredibly lucky because I had the opportunity to grow up very close to my grandparents and experience their love, joy, and disdain for TTUN nearly every weekend. However, our close relationship also led me to witness the impacts of my Grandma Sharon’s dementia diagnosis firsthand. I watched as her memories—and the vibrant woman I had once known—faded away, and I saw the physical, emotional, and ultimately mortal toll that caring for her had on my Grandpa Bill. 

Unfortunately, these devastating consequences are not unique to my grandparents. Roughly 235,000 Ohioans live with dementia, and over twice as many provide unpaid in-home care and are at significantly higher risk for physical and mental health complications like heart disease, stroke, and depression. 

As a Buckeye, I am helping address these challenges as a co-founder of Memory Mates at Ohio State, a student organization committed to supporting people living with dementia and their caregivers. We volunteer at memory café sessions where people living with dementia can engage in social and artistic activities, and caregivers can rest, run errands, and receive training.  

But there is much more to be done for Ohioans affected by dementia. That is why I am fundraising for The Ohio State University College of Nursing Dementia Caregiving Fund to help provide critical research, education, and resources for people living with dementia and their caregivers. Please consider joining me to support those in our community affected by dementia. Together, we can limit the prevalence of this disease and alleviate caregiver burden.