June 14, 2018
Observing Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
Jonesboro, AR –
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing public awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, available resources and how people can get involved to support the cause.
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common cause of dementia. Dementia is a syndrome- a group of symptoms- that has a number of causes. The characteristic symptoms of dementia are difficulties with memory, language, problem-solving and other cognitive skills that affect a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. These difficulties occur because nerve cells (neurons) in parts of the brain involved in cognitive function have been damaged or destroyed. A cure for this progressive disease has not yet been found.
Statistics:
- Every 65 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease.
- 1 in 10 people (10 percent) age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s Dementia.
- In 2018, about 2.1 million people who have Alzheimer’s dementia are age 85 or older, accounting for 37 percent of all people with Alzheimer’s dementia.
- By 2050, 7 million people age 85 and older are projected to have Alzheimer’s dementia, accounting for half (51 percent) of all people 65 and older with Alzheimer’s dementia.
What we do:
The Center on Aging- Northeast offers a wide variety of educational videos and printed materials related to the life challenges of the aging population. A dedicated resource team will provide assistance with research and the learning needs of mature adults, health care professionals and other members of the community.
The education center is designed to provide information, education and answers or direction to questions of mature adults, relatives or caregivers, eliminating the guessing game.
Dementia & Alzheimer’s
Dementia Experience: Take a Walk in their Shoes is an interactive program designed to place the participant in the reality of a person with dementia.
Dementia First Responder Training: is designed for individuals working as first responders to recognize when a person has cognitive deficits and respond appropriately.
Family Caregiver Workshop: Our family caregiver class is offered in a free, four-hour workshop, one on the physical skills of caring for an older adult and the other on caring for a person with Alzheimer’s/Dementia. The goal of the family caregiver workshops is to introduce family caregivers to basic caregiving skills needed to provide quality care for an aging family member. Family Caregiver Workshops can be taught at churches and other locations for groups of 10 or more.
Community Education Programs from the Alzheimer’s Association curriculum
Topics include:
- Know the 10 Warning Signs
- Effective Communication Strategies
- Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body: Tips from the Latest Research
- Dementia Conversations
- The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease
- Understanding and Responding to Dementia- Related Behavior
- Living with Alzheimer’s: For People with Alzheimer’s
- Living with Alzheimer’s: For Early-Stage Caregivers, Middle-Stage Caregivers, Late-Stage Caregivers, & Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s
- Legal and Financial Planning for the Future
Alzheimer’s Support Group:
We are providing a NEW support group for caregivers and others, especially families, dealing with Alzheimer’s. Led by Pam Yates, LPN, and Education Specialist & Certified by the Alzheimer’s Association as a support group facilitator.
Call 870-207-7600 to register or for more information.
6:00-8:00 pm- UAMS Schmieding Home Caregiver Training- 2813 Forest Home Rd- Jonesboro
Article Provided by Samantha Hollis, BSN, RN, CDP -Interim Director of the Center on Aging-Northeast.