Hilarity For Charity

Comedian Seth Rogen turned a personal tragedy— his mother-in-law’s Alzheimer’s—into something positive

- Celeste McCauley

SETH ROGEN, THE POPULAR Canadian-American comedian and filmmaker, is serious about helping families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s. The cause is personal: His mother-in-law, Adele, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at age 55.

“Until my wife and I experienced firsthand the devastating toll Alzheimer’s takes on family members,” Seth has said, “it was hard to conceive of how brutal the disease is.” After Adele’s diagnosis, Seth’s father-in-law retired to take care of her at home full-time. When Adele lost her ability to speak, feed and dress herself, more help was needed. Seth and his wife, Lauren Miller, moved them to L.A. so they could be closer and found a live in caregiver. The couple couldn’t help but wonder how caregivers without their resources coped. How did they hold down jobs while taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s? How were they able to do it all and still care for themselves?