December 3, 2015

November and Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

November was national Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness month. All over the country, there were people wearing purple and spreading awareness by running races, attending workshops, sharing on social media and reading literature related to Alzheimer’s disease and the many forms of dementia. President Ronald Reagan designated November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month in 1983. At the time, fewer than 2 million Americans had Alzheimer’s; today, the number of people with the disease has soared to nearly 5.4 million and counting.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases.  This disease affects millions of people around the country, and often the families of these individuals suffer unnoticed. The daily stress of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can become overwhelming very quickly, often leading to caregiver burnout or other stress-related illnesses. One way to reduce caregiver burnout and stress is with education. Alzheimer’s disease does not have a cure, but understanding and learning about the disease, its symptoms, and how it may effect a loved one’s behavior can dramatically improve the situation for both the family and the infirmed. Often times, an educated and trained caregiver affords the individual living with Alzheimer’s the opportunity to remain in their home longer, if not permanently.

The Schmieding Home Caregiver Training Center in El Dorado held a free Family Caregiver Workshop on November 5, 2015 to offer this educational support to families and friends of people with Alzheimer’s in the community. Attendees observed as nurse educator Bethany Cheatham, RN presented a wealth of information, along with a handbook, on Alzheimer’s and dementia. In addition to lecture, those present observed skills demonstrations showing helpful ways to assist someone with Alzheimer’s with daily tasks of living like eating and dressing.

In addition to these free workshops offered periodically, the Schmieding Home Caregiver Training Center offers certified classes to train in-home caregivers to join the workforce in our community. If you are interested in more information about our programs and classes, please call 870-639-1744.

 

 

Reference: www.alz.org