LOUISVILLE — Charlestown resident Dr. Karen Robinson never thought Alzheimer’s disease would intimately touch her life. With a doctorate in nursing from Indiana University and a specialty in geriatric psychiatric health, she had studied and researched the effects of dementia on patients and the stressful lives of their caregivers for many years.

Little did she know that she would come face to face with the disease when her father began exhibiting Alzheimer’s symptoms. Nine years after the diagnosis, he died of the ailment that she had for so long examined. Late last year, her brother also passed away from the disease.

“I am one of the statistics,” Robinson said. “I had no idea this would affect my family.”

Fifteen years after her father’s death and with decades of helping countless lives through a program that she founded, Robinson will receive the Professional Caregiver of the Year Award at the Alzheimer’s Association’s Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter’s annual “Making Memories” fundraiser at Horseshoe Casino on Saturday.

Robinson, a professor at the University of Louisville’s School of Nursing, fostered the Caregivers Program to provide education and support for families and friends who care for dementia patients. Developed in 1992, the no-cost program also offers a way to research the ways caregivers benefit from such structured assistance.

“Our intervention helps the family understand the disease and how to keep stress low for the impaired person,” Robinson said.

She added that caregivers of Alzheimer’s and others afflicted with dementia are, in essence, the “silent victims.” Statistics from the 2011 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Report show that 15 million Americans provide unpaid care for a person with such illnesses, valued at $202 billion dollars.

These caregivers routinely suffer from higher rates of depression and illness than the general population, not to mention economic hardships related to their decision to take care of the patient. According to the report, 33 percent of caregivers report symptoms of depression and many have high levels of stress hormones and reduced immune function. Husbands and wives of patients sometimes suffer even more than other providers.

“A spouse doesn’t ask for help until very late in the disease,” Robinson said. “And sometimes spouse-caregivers die before the patient.”

Robinson’s program combats these negative aspects of home health care. She said educating the person that provides assistance helps to relieve stress from their lives. Support groups also give them new ideas and a forum to share their stories and struggles. Her findings indicate that these activities contribute to the health of the impaired person. A less stressful caregiver creates a better environment for the patient, who in turn, demonstrates less problematic behavior.

“The patient does much better at home,” she said.

And with nearly half of people age 85 and older having Alzheimer’s disease in addition to the growing population of aging baby boomers, the need for better information for at-home caregivers will only grow. According to the report, the number of adults aged 65 and older afflicted with Alzheimer’s will reach 7.7 million by 2030, a 50 percent increase from the current amount.

Robinson wants to help lessen the burden now. The program continuously looks for research participants. She said to qualify, a physician’s diagnosis stating that the patient has a disease caused by irreversible memory loss is needed. In addition, caregivers must tend to those inflicted in a home setting. To learn more about the free program, call Maureen McDermott at 502-852-2273.

Also ready to assist, the Alzheimer’s Association supports programs like Robinson’s through fundraisers throughout the year. DeAnna Esslinger, vice-president of Community Relations and Development for the local chapter, said last year’s Making Memories event raised more than $90,000 for the nonprofit organization. The donations helped fund various programs such as the 24-hour helpline, the Medic Alert and Safe Return Program, family support groups and respite for caregivers. More than 100,000 people have the disease in the chapter’s area.

Esslinger hopes to raise an equal amount of funds this year, in part, through silent auctions. Donated items for bidding include a New Orleans’ getaway, one-week use of a Destin, Fla., condo, four box seat tickets to see Jimmy Buffett in concert, a guitar signed by Boston band members and ticket and airfare to see a taping of “Live! With Kelly” in New York.

“All the proceeds from this event provide services for families in our area,” Esslinger said.

In addition, several other people and organizations will be recognized for their contribution to Alzheimer’s research and support, including Bonnie Hackbarth, Barbara Webb and Today’s Woman magazine.

— Amanda Beam is a freelance writer who lives in Floyd County.