When Caregiving Comes Early: A Florida Family’s Journey Through Early-Onset Alzheimer’s

By Amanda Torres

At 25, when so many people are just getting their footing in adulthood, Logan Sapp is carrying a different kind of responsibility. She works full-time, helps raise her 12-year-old sister and makes sure her mom, Carolyn, who lives with early-onset Alzheimer’s, has comfort, company and connection each day.

“She’s always been my person,” Sapp said. “The diagnosis changed everything for my family.”

Carolyn’s symptoms began shifting in 2020, at just 49 years old and right in the middle of the pandemic. She started forgetting small things, losing focus and having trouble with tasks she’d always handled without a second thought. 

At first, they were easy to overlook, the kind of moments you tell yourself are just stress or a long week catching up. But those moments didn’t fade. They grew more frequent, harder to brush off, eventually leading to a diagnosis of the same disease Carolyn’s father once faced: early-onset Alzheimer’s. 

Since then, the family has had to adjust in ways they never expected. The everyday rhythms changed, along with their responsibilities. Sapp stepped into roles she never imagined taking on so young.

“My mom can no longer work, drive or do the things she once loved, like going to the gym or spending time out with her friends on her own,” Sapp said. 

Still, Sapp does everything she can to keep joy and connection in her mom’s life. As a caregiver and a big sister, she balances responsibility with gentleness and making sure her mother stays engaged with the world around her. They find comfort in small routines: getting their nails done, taking little outings and talking through whatever the day brings.

“I try to take her [out] to do things,” she said. “We talk about everything as much as we can.”

Today, more than seven million Americans live with Alzheimer’s, supported by an estimated 11 million family members and friends who provide unpaid care. Early-onset Alzheimer’s remains relatively rare and often misunderstood, affecting people under age 65. 

In Florida, more than 580,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s, supported by roughly 870,000 unpaid caregivers who show up day after day to help the people they love. In Hillsborough County, there are more than 27,000 residents over 65 living with Alzheimer’s.

This past October, Sapp and her family joined the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Tampa. Carolyn, now 53, stood alongside her daughters, including her youngest, just 12, as they shared their story with the crowd. For Sapp, speaking out is about shining a light on families that often go unseen.

“Raising awareness is important because it’s not just older families that struggle with it,” she said. “It’s also the younger families who have younger children.”

If you or a loved one needs assistance, please reach out to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or call the free, 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900. 

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