Resources Available for People Living with Alzheimer’s and Their Caregivers

For Antigo Times

Green Bay, WI, November 10, 2015 – In 1983, President Ronald Reagan, who was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, designated November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. President Bill Clinton named the week of Thanksgiving as a time to honor caregivers in 1997, and that has expanded to National Family Caregivers Month. As an organization founded by caregivers, the Alzheimer’s Association applauds caregivers and hopes to make their efforts a little easier year round with an innovative resources that have been designed specifically with families in mind.

The Alzheimer’s Association offers free resources to guide families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease, including:

• Alzheimer’s Association Helpline (1-800-272-3900): This toll-free 24/7 Helpline is the one of its kind; the Helpline is staffed by masters-level counselors and provides information and guidance in more than 170 languages and dialects.
• The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center (alz.org/care): This site provides more than 70 pages of information and easy access to resources, such as:

o   Community Resource Finder — Find local resources.

o   Care Team Calendar — Coordinate caregiving responsibilities among family and friends.

o   Safety Center — Access information and resources for safety inside and outside of the home, wandering and getting lost, and dementia and driving.

• ALZConnected™, powered by the Alzheimer’s Association (alzconnected.org): This is the first social networking community designed for people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. ALZConnected is a specialized social network that allows members to connect and communicate with people who understand their unique challenges 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They can also pose questions and offer solutions to dementia-related issues, create public and private groups organized around a dedicated topic, and contribute to message boards. ALZConnected combines the features of many social networking sites and the popular Alzheimer’s Association’s message boards. Members create “connections” by extending and receiving invitations.

There are 110,000 people living with Alzheimer’s and 191,000 unpaid caregivers in Wisconsin, according to the Alzheimer’s Association^® 2015 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures.
The Alzheimer’s Association will continue to assist families in a variety of ways to best meet their needs, including local programs such as:

• Support groups:  Peer- or professionally led groups for caregivers and others dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. All support groups are facilitated by trained individuals. Many locations offer specialized groups for children, individuals with younger-onset and early-stage Alzheimer’s, adult caregivers and others with specific needs.

• Education Programs: Your local Alzheimer’s Association may provide caregiver training classes and workshops. Contact the Alzheimer’s Association locally at alz.org/gwwi.

For more information on Alzheimer’s disease or available resources, visit alz.org or call 1-800-272-3900.

About the Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a worldwithout Alzheimer’s. For more information, visit www.alz.org.