Positive K Finds A Purpose Bigger Than Rap: Caring For Mom With Alzheimer’s

Positive K has made caring for his mother his priority as she lives with Alzheimer’s disease.

The rapper discussed looking after his mother, Julie, in an Atlanta News First interview published October 29. She has had the disease for years, with changes to her movement, speech and ability to think.

“This is my assignment in life,” he said.

There have been hard days, but he has also enjoyed choosing outfits for her. He credited the Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter with answering when he sought help from relatives and others.

“It really involves everyone, and that is why you need a team,” Positive K said of caregiving.

He said the experience went beyond music into his personal relationships and changed how he made decisions. He felt he had grown as a son and as a person. He still hoped to return to music full time, taking what he learned from caring for his mother with him.

His creative work has also included stand-up comedy. In a 2023 AllHipHop exclusive, the MC spoke about opening for Mike Epps in 2021 and learning to work different rooms. He described earning his place among comedians rather than relying on his rap fame.

The need for help comes into focus during November, National Family Caregivers Month. The Alzheimer’s Association says nearly 13 million Americans provide unpaid care for someone with dementia. It reports that 59 percent of dementia caregivers experience high emotional stress and 38 percent experience physical stress tied to their care duties.

For families looking for the kind of team Positive K described, the Georgia chapter offers free support groups. Caregivers can join by phone, video or in person, with trained facilitators leading the sessions. There are also groups for people in the early stages of dementia, giving families more than one way to find others facing similar changes.

The association’s free helpline, 800-272-3900, is open around the clock. Callers can speak with someone about local resources or get emotional support and crisis assistance. Conversations are confidential, with bilingual staff and interpreters making help available in more than 200 languages.