Do you know the many resources provided by the Alzheimer's Association?
Unfortunately, a big part of providing senior care includes helping individuals and families with Alzheimer's Disease (AD). 5.1 million Americans have Alzheimer's and someone is newly diagnosed every 67 seconds in the US.
One of the bright spots in the disease is the Alzheimer's Association. They are a tireless advocate for eradication of AD. But since that day isn't here yet, they also offer a wide range of programs to help educate, advocate, and cope with AD.
We are very proud to have participated in the Philadelphia Walk to End Alzheimer's on Sunday November 9, along with the Bucks County Seniors Helping Seniors office and 13,000 of our Alzheimer's Association supporting friends. It is an amazing event for anyone in the Philadelphia area including Chester, Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, and Philadelphia counties. You can still support us by making a donation until 12/31/14 at http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2014/PA-DelawareValley?team_id=198030&pg=team&fr_id=5375
If you remember nothing else from this article, remember their toll free help line #: 1-800-272-3900. This line is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is your main entry point to all their programs. The alternative is the local chapter website at www.alz.org/delval.
Their key programs include:
- Early stage initiatives: these are programs that can help those in the early stages AND their families to learn about and cope with the disease. These initiatives include:
- Educational Programs held throughout the area. http://www.alz.org/delval/in_my_Community_education.asp
- Support Groups. You can find a local support group at: http://www.alz.org/delval/in_my_Community_support.asp
- The REC Center (in Philadelphia and Marlton, NJ) is a place to meet and socialize with others with AD and their families: http://www.alz.org/delval/in_my_Community_15417.asp
- Care consultation is a fee based service to help you assess needs and plan for care. Contact the help line for more information.
- alzConnected is a web base forum where you can interact on-line with other patients, families, and caregivers for support: http://www.alzconnected.org/discussion.aspx?_ga=1.9440949.1020960402.1413717102
- Safety Services include:
- MedicAlert® + Safe Return® to protect those with Alzheimer's who wander. http://www.alz.org/care/dementia-medic-alert-safe-return.asp
- Free training for local Emergency Medical Technicians, Police, Fire Fighters, etc. Call the Help Line for more information
- TrialMatch is a program to help those who want to find clinical trials in which they can participate: http://www.alz.org/research/clinical_trials/find_clinical_trials_trialmatch.asp
Finally, if you just want to learn more about Alzheimer's Disease, there is a ton of great information on the national web site at www.alz.org. On the purple menu bar are sections for "Alzheimer's and Dementia" (educational) and "Life with Alzheimer's" (supports).
If your family is afflicted by AD, please take advantage of all that the Alzheimer's Association has to offer!
And, if you need help caring for a loved one with AD, contact us at Seniors Helping Seniors. Our loving, compassionate caregivers know a lot about how to help your family cope with this disease in Northern Chester, Western Montgomery, and Upper Bucks counties.