Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging. The greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older.
In Chapter 14 - Role Reversal from Designated Caregiver, we are introduced to Joanna and her parents. Joanna’s family affectionately called her father “The Gentle Giant”. He stood 6’4” while his 5’4” wife, Frances, painstakingly helped dress and made his meals each day. Pete was diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease when he was 76 years old. Prior to his illness, Pete managed all financial matters. After he became ill, Joanna needed to teach her mother how to pay bills online and write checks. She also set up a filing system and developed an efficient process to handle the mail. She gave her mother respite time each week giving Joanna the opportunity to have special time to listen to her father’s stories and care for him. After several years, Frances was not able to physically continue to care for her husband even with the help of Joanna. The family helped her make one of the most difficult decisions of her life. It was time to move “the love of her life” to an assisted living facility.
Resources:
AARP - Infomation concerning caregiving and issues specific to their needs, health and wellness, and legislative updates of importance to caregivers. A few of the many caregiving topics AARP offers: Beginning Caregiving, Local Resources, Veteran’s Information, Caring at Home, Balancing Life, Hospice Care and many up-to-date, valuable caregiver articles.
888-OUR-AARP (888-687-2277) https://www.aarp.org/
Administration on Aging - Developed comprehensive, coordinated, and cost effective system of home and community based services that helps elderly maintain health and independence in their homes and communities. [email protected] www.aoa.gov
Administration for Community Living 330 C St SW Washington, DC 20201
Administration for Community Living: (202) 401-4634
Eldercare Locator (to find local resources): (800) 677-1116
AgingCare - helps families find answers, care and information on eldercare by:
- Facilitating an online forum where caregivers can share their experience and learn from others by asking questions, giving answers, or participating in a group discussion.
- Helping caregivers find and compare local service providers like elder law attorneys, in-home care companies and senior housing options.
- Providing helpful, actionable and insightful articles, ebooks, checklists, legal forms, and guides produced and written by professional writers and elder care experts.
9015 Strada Stell Court, Suite 203 Naples, FL 34109
Aging with Dignity/Five Wishes - As a private, non-profit organization, their driving principle is to safeguard and affirm the human dignity of every person who faces the challenges of aging, serious illness, disability or loneliness. They have served more than 30 million families and 40,000 organizations by providing the tools needed to discuss advance care planning. They also advocate at the state and federal levels for public policies that enhance the rights of individuals and families in making these decisions. They provide support through resources, workshops and one-on-one assistance that promotes the conversation of dignified care and end-of-life wishes.
Today, they are the most trusted resource for people who want to plan for care in advance of a health crisis. Our Five Wishes document is the most widely used advance directive or living will in America. It is often called the “living will with a heart and soul” because it includes the things that matter the most. Unlike most other advance directives, it is easy to use and understand. Caring for people with a serious illness involves more than providing the best medical care. It means helping them to maintain their human dignity. That’s where Five Wishes come in. Unique among other advance directives and living wills because it is user friendly and easy to complete. Helps you express how you want to be treated if you are seriously ill and cannot speak for yourself.
Contact Us - [email protected] Phone: (850) 681-2010 Fax:(850) 681-2481
Mailing Address: PO Box 1661 Tallahassee FL 32302-1661
Office Location: 3050 Highland Oaks Terrace, Suite 2 Tallahassee FL 32301-3841
888-5 WISHES (594-7437) https://agingwithdignity.org/
Alzheimer's Associations - Leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and outreach; library services, local chapter listings, and care finder resources. https://www.alz.org/
The Alzheimer Spouse - Place of support and solutions to the unique issues and challenges facing spouses with Alzheimer's patients. Hotline - 800-272-3900 [email protected] www.thealzheimerspouse.com
American Lung Association - The leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. 800-LUNG-USA www.lung.org [email protected]
American Parkinson Disease Association - Works to raise awareness of Parkinson disease, research, patient support and education. 800-223-2732 www.apdaparkinson.org
American Society on Aging - Common goal to support the commitment and enhance the knowledge and skills of those who seek to improve the quality of life of older adults and their families. 800-537-9728
www.asaging.org
American Stroke Association - Offers information on different types of strokes, diagnosis, and treatment. Offers support materials for both caregivers and patients. 888-478-7653 www.strokeassociation.org
Annie Appleseed Project - Staffed by volunteers provides information about alternative and complementary medicines for cancer patients. [email protected] URL: www.annieappleseedproject.org
A Place for Mom - Founded 15 years ago to help families navigate the maze of senior housing options. Since then, A Place for Mom has grown to become the largest senior living referral service in the U.S. and Canada. Although the company name focuses on "mom," they help dad too! As well as uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters - anyone who is faced with finding the best senior living options for their loved ones.
U. S. Headquarters – A Place For Mom 701 5th Ave Suite 3200 Seattle, WA 98104 206-285-4666
A Place for Mom Canada, Inc. 181 Bay Street, Suite 4400 Toronto, ON M5J 2T3 www.aplaceformom.com
U of M Geriatrics Center and Institute of Gerontology - Turner Senior Center - Turner Senior Resource Center (TSRC) houses community outreach programs of the University of Michigan Health System. The TSRC mission is to be a vital learning, health and wellness center, a pioneering program where seniors initiate, guide and implement the center’s direction and activities, working together to improve and enhance the quality of life for seniors and their families in our community. Seniors not only participate, learn and interact but also volunteer to serve one another and their community Turner Senior Resource Center (TSRC), 2401 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 734-998-9353 www.med.umich.edu/geriatrics