According to the 2011 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures released March 15 by the Alzheimer's Association, there are nearly 15 million Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers in the United States - 37 percent more than reported last year. In 2010, these individuals provided 17 billion hours of unpaid care valued at $202.6 billion.
The rising prevalence of Alzheimer's places increasingly intense demands - emotional, physical and financial -on the millions of family members and friends who care for those with Alzheimer's. "Alzheimer's disease doesn't just affect those with it. It invades families and the lives of everyone around them," said Harry Johns, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association.
As the Alzheimer's epidemic continues to escalate, more and more Americans will experience the strain of this disease. Today, an estimated 5.4 million individuals are living with Alzheimer's. It is the sixth-leading cause of death in the country and the only cause of death among the top 10 in the United States that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.
2011 Facts and Figures also includes a special report focusing on early detection and diagnosis. Increasing evidence suggests that early diagnosis of Alzheimer's and timely intervention is beneficial both for people with the disease and their caregivers. Experts believe that early detection of Alzheimer's disease and early interventions with improved therapies provide the greatest hope to delay or stop additional damage to the brain.
To help, learn the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease© and be aware of them in yourself and others. The signs are a key tool in increasing recognition of changes that indicate Alzheimer's or another dementia.
10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease
• Memory changes that disrupt daily life
• Challenges in planning or solving problems
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks
• Confusion with time or place
• Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
• New problems with words in speaking or writing
• Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
• Decreased or poor judgment
• Withdrawal from work or social activities
• Changes in mood and personality
If you or someone you care about is experiencing any of the 10 warning signs, please see a doctor to find the cause. For more information about the signs, early detection and diagnosis or the Facts and Figures report, contact the Alzheimer's Association via the web or 1.800.272.3900.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
A Local Hometown Hero
This month’s Caregiver Spotlight honors Barbara Bryson from Home Care Assistance of Southern New Jersey for her professionalism, compassion and dedication to her client. Barb has been in the health care field for over 20 years and she has been a Certified Home Health Aide for over 16 years.
Barb’s stays with her client Nancy five days a week. Nancy is unable to effectively verbalize her thoughts and ideas due to the effects of a brain tumor and stroke. The two have built such a strong bond that Barb is now able to anticipate most of Nancy’s needs before they arise. Speaking on behalf of the family, Nancy’s daughter Jane says:
"Barb is an absolute gem. Not only is she reliable, caring and compassionate, but she is truly a wonderful person. She is very respectful of my home which is very important when you have someone in your home every day. Barb has become as close to a family member as we could hope for."
Barb provides daily companionship to Nancy and accompanies her on appointments and other trips outside the home. She has happily agreed to stay overnight at the home when Jane needs to travel for business. In addition to the great bond Barb has formed with Nancy and her family, she has also found a new friend in their dog Petey!
Thank you, Barbara, for all your hard work! You are an inspiration to us all.
Barb’s stays with her client Nancy five days a week. Nancy is unable to effectively verbalize her thoughts and ideas due to the effects of a brain tumor and stroke. The two have built such a strong bond that Barb is now able to anticipate most of Nancy’s needs before they arise. Speaking on behalf of the family, Nancy’s daughter Jane says:
"Barb is an absolute gem. Not only is she reliable, caring and compassionate, but she is truly a wonderful person. She is very respectful of my home which is very important when you have someone in your home every day. Barb has become as close to a family member as we could hope for."
Barb provides daily companionship to Nancy and accompanies her on appointments and other trips outside the home. She has happily agreed to stay overnight at the home when Jane needs to travel for business. In addition to the great bond Barb has formed with Nancy and her family, she has also found a new friend in their dog Petey!
Thank you, Barbara, for all your hard work! You are an inspiration to us all.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Choosing Home Care Services that Meet Your Needs
by Anne Pagnoni
Making the decision to hire a home care service to provide care for your loved one is an important decision and can, at the same time, be very difficult. If an illness or recovery from surgery requires nursing care or physical therapy, a physician may order skilled home care services that provide both skilled providers and personal aides. Your decision is then based on the obvious medical determinations made by the doctor. But what if you as the family caregiver must determine the extent of care needed without the help of a doctor?
Each home care situation is unique. In the beginning, family or friends step in to help with simple tasks and support for aging seniors who want to stay in their homes. As long term care needs progress, more time is required to manage those needs. Physical and mental conditions change with aging making usually routine hygiene and daily living activities difficult for an aging individual. Even with the healthiest of seniors, the ability to drive a car, shop for groceries or do general housekeeping eventually needs to be relinquished to the responsibility of another person.
In one example, Karen, would stop by her parents' home on her way to work every morning and again on her way home from work in the evening. She checked in the morning to see that they were up and ready for the day and Karen would take a shopping list for things they needed. In the evening she delivered the needed items she had purchased during her lunch break and sometimes she fixed a meal when one was not prepared by her mother. This worked well until Karen began to notice her father did not shave or dress during the day and both parents were forgetting their medications. Karen felt more time and supervision was needed in their care but with her own family and job, she could not do it. Non-medical or personal home care services would be a good option for Karen to consider.
Before starting your search for a non-medical or personal home care company, determine what the care needs are and how much time each week will be required for assistance from the company. You may want to consult with the family physician and other family members as well as experienced social workers or care managers to determine needs. Most home care companies, as well, will help you do an assessment at no charge. With your care needs in hand, you are ready to begin your search.
The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (http://www.nahc.org/home.html) gives the following guidelines and checklist in searching for a home care company.
Following up on these guidelines can help you determine the quality of personal care that is given. Many states license non-medical home care companies and require both legal and health standards to be maintained.
Read about individual home care companies in your area on the National Care Planning Council's website http://www.longtermcarelink.net/.
Making the decision to hire a home care service to provide care for your loved one is an important decision and can, at the same time, be very difficult. If an illness or recovery from surgery requires nursing care or physical therapy, a physician may order skilled home care services that provide both skilled providers and personal aides. Your decision is then based on the obvious medical determinations made by the doctor. But what if you as the family caregiver must determine the extent of care needed without the help of a doctor?
Each home care situation is unique. In the beginning, family or friends step in to help with simple tasks and support for aging seniors who want to stay in their homes. As long term care needs progress, more time is required to manage those needs. Physical and mental conditions change with aging making usually routine hygiene and daily living activities difficult for an aging individual. Even with the healthiest of seniors, the ability to drive a car, shop for groceries or do general housekeeping eventually needs to be relinquished to the responsibility of another person.
In one example, Karen, would stop by her parents' home on her way to work every morning and again on her way home from work in the evening. She checked in the morning to see that they were up and ready for the day and Karen would take a shopping list for things they needed. In the evening she delivered the needed items she had purchased during her lunch break and sometimes she fixed a meal when one was not prepared by her mother. This worked well until Karen began to notice her father did not shave or dress during the day and both parents were forgetting their medications. Karen felt more time and supervision was needed in their care but with her own family and job, she could not do it. Non-medical or personal home care services would be a good option for Karen to consider.
Before starting your search for a non-medical or personal home care company, determine what the care needs are and how much time each week will be required for assistance from the company. You may want to consult with the family physician and other family members as well as experienced social workers or care managers to determine needs. Most home care companies, as well, will help you do an assessment at no charge. With your care needs in hand, you are ready to begin your search.
The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (http://www.nahc.org/home.html) gives the following guidelines and checklist in searching for a home care company.
- How long has this provider been serving the community?
- Does this provider supply literature explaining its services, eligibility requirements, fees, and funding sources? Many providers furnish their home care clients with a detailed "Patient Bill of Rights" that outlines the rights and responsibilities of the providers, clients, and family caregivers alike.
- How does this provider select and train its employees? Does it protect its workers with written personnel policies and malpractice insurance? Does it protect clients from theft or abuse by bonding its employees?
- Does this provider assign supervisors to oversee the quality of care clients are receiving in their homes? If so, how often do these individuals make visits? Who can the client and his or her family members call with questions or complaints? How does the company follow up on and resolve problems?
- What are the financial procedures of this provider? Does the provider furnish written statements explaining all of the costs and payment plan options associated with home care?
- What procedures does this provider have in place to handle emergencies? Are its caregivers available on notice?
- How does this provider ensure client confidentiality?
Following up on these guidelines can help you determine the quality of personal care that is given. Many states license non-medical home care companies and require both legal and health standards to be maintained.
Read about individual home care companies in your area on the National Care Planning Council's website http://www.longtermcarelink.net/.
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