E-News: Survey Finds Family Caregivers Doing More Complex Tasks

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Alzheimer's Foundation of America

AFA Kicks Off Stop Alzheimer's Petition Campaign

In an effort to ensure that the nation's historic plan to address Alzheimer's disease moves forward with the necessary resources and commitment, AFA has kicked off a Stop Alzheimer's Petition campaign and is encouraging Americans to sign it - and spread the word about it.

The petition is part of AFA's overall "NAPA Now" efforts to ensure full implementation of the national plan, which was mandated under the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA).

AFA's petition tells the White House and Congress that "eradicating Alzheimer's disease has to be a priority and that support for education, training and long-term care services is necessary until we discover a treatment to prevent, reverse or cure this brain disorder."

The petition campaign is a collaborative effort of organizations composing Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer's Disease (LEAD), a coalition co-facilitated by AFA and USAgainstAlzheimer's. To sign the petition, go here.

Survey Finds Family Caregivers Doing More Complex Tasks

Caregiver Consoling Father Family members caring for a loved one with multiple chronic physical and cognitive conditions are performing more medical and nursing tasks that were once considered the domain of healthcare facilities, according to the findings of an online survey by the AARP Public Policy Institute and the United Hospital Fund.

Nearly half of the 1,677 family caregivers surveyed reveal that they perform medical and nursing tasks for their loved ones, in addition to assisting with traditional caregiving responsibilities such as bathing, dressing and managing household tasks. Among these caregivers, the majority are managing medications, including administering intravenous fluids and injections, and more than half are coordinating care.

When asked why they are taking on medical and nursing tasks, more than half of the respondents believe they did not have a choice because there was no one else to do it or insurance wouldn't cover a professional's help.

As a result of these responsibilities, more than half of respondents reported feeling depressed or hopeless, but most believe they are making an important contribution to their loved one's health, namely preventing institutionalization.

Returning Champion Wins Alzheimer's Foundation of America's National Brain Game Challenge

National Brain Game Challenge Logo After tackling a clever, word-twisting crossword puzzle crafted by one of the nation's best crossword constructors, Jeffrey Harris of Norwalk, CT raced to the finish in the "Pros" division to win the Alzheimer's Foundation of America's (AFA) recent National Brain Game Challenge for the second year in a row, and Scott Weiss of Walkersville, MD took the "Public" division with a time that rivaled ace tournament winners who competed in the online contest.

More than 800 people from coast-to-coast registered for the contest this year -- raising more than $20,000 to support AFA's care-related programs and services nationwide. After AFA unveiled the puzzle on its Web site on September 30, contestants had 24 hours to solve the crossword, which fittingly had an Alzheimer's-related theme, and compete for a total of $7,000 in prizes.

Harris, a 27-year-old freelance editor, and Weiss, a computer science professor, finished the multi-layered crossword in 33 minutes and 55 minutes, respectively. They both beat the next closest competitors in their divisions by a mere three minutes to each capture a $2,500 grand prize.

Merl Reagle, whose popular Sunday crossword puzzle is syndicated in 45 major newspapers across the country, teamed up with AFA for the second straight year as a means of supporting AFA's ongoing efforts to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease and lifestyles that promote brain health. The brain disorder has struck both Reagle's mother-in-law and, just recently, his mother.

Netting second and third place in the Pros division were Tyler Hinman of San Francisco and Daniel Katz of Providence, RI. And in the Public division, Jeffrey Schwartz of New York, NY and Eric LeVasseur of Seal Beach, CA, came in second and third, respectively.