New Survey Reveals Cost of Caregiving on Family Caregivers
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Nearly 46 Percent Spend $5,000 or More Per Year
A new survey from Caring.com examined the financial toll of caregiving on family caregivers. Among its findings, nearly half (46 percent) of family caregivers spent more than $5,000 per year for their loved ones' care, including medications, medical bills, in-home care, and nursing homes.
In addition to the monetary toll, caregiving affects their daily lives and responsibilities. Approximately one-third of people surveyed spend more than 30 hours per week on caregiving, rendering it almost a full-time job in and of itself. Fifteen percent believe they may need to leave the workforce due to caregiving, and nearly two-thirds (60 percent) say that caregiving has had a negative effect on their jobs.
The majority of survey participants were women in their 50s and 60s.
Learn more
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Cocktail Reception and Concert to Benefit Alzheimer's Care
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"For the Love of...Those We Honor"
On October 16, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) will host its 10th Annual "For the Love of...Those We Honor," cocktail reception and concert in New York City. Proceeds from the evening will benefit AFA's programs and services.
The event will feature performances by musical artists Todd Carey
and Honor By August, along with open bar, hors d'oeuvres, and a silent auction.
Tickets cost $100 and are available here. For sponsorship details or additional information, please contact Josie DiChiara or call 866-232-8484 x112.
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Free Webinar-Implementing the National Alzheimer's Plan Locally
September 29 Conference to Highlight Strategies and Best Practices
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On Monday, September 29, at 4:00 p.m., AFA, the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) will host a free webinar highlighting strategies and best practices to help state and local governments roll out the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease.
The webinar expands on AFA and NAC's joint report: "From Plan to Practice: Implementing the National Alzheimer's Plan in Your State," which was released earlier this year. National experts and case study author, Donna Walberg of ACT on Alzheimer's (Minnesota), will discuss why states should have a plan, how to implement and evaluate plans, and best practices from the report.
Click here for more information or to register.
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Infographic Highlights Optimal Living Spaces for People with Alzheimer's Disease
A new infographic from AFA and Perkins Eastman, a leading architecture and design firm, showcases recommendations for creating high quality, secure and welcoming living spaces for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses. The infographic is based on " Excellence in Design: Optimal Living Spaces for People with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias," a comprehensive report released earlier this year by AFA and Perkins Eastman.
Congress Passes Legislation Calling for Greater Hospice Oversight
Congress passed legislation that calls for greater frequency of hospice surveys and oversight, mandating that all hospices are surveyed, at a minimum, once every three years. In addition, the bill would also correct a legislative drafting error that has kept the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) from implementing authority to conduct medical reviews of hospice providers with a high proportion of long-stay patients.
AFA will continue to work with Congress, CMS and other stakeholders to reform the Medicare hospice benefit, making it more beneficial for those living with dementia.
Partnership to Improve Dementia Care Announced New Goals for Reducing Use of Anti-Psychotics in Nursing Homes
The National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care announced new goals regarding use of anti-psychotics as part of a wider effort to "re-think" care of elderly people with cognitive impairments. Under this updated initiative, nursing homes are promising to reduce their use of antipsychotic medications on dementia patients 25 percent by 2016 and 30 percent by 2017. Nursing homes have already made progress under this initiative, reducing use of antipsychotics by 15 percent between 2011 and 2013.
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Self-reported Memory Lapses May Signal Increased Risk of Dementia Years Later
A new study suggests that people without dementia who begin reporting memory issues may be more likely to develop dementia later in life, even if no clinical signs of the disease are evident.
Fifty-six percent of study participants, with an average age of 73, reported memory changes. The study found that those individuals who reported such changes were almost three times more likely to develop memory and thinking problems. Approximately one in six participants developed dementia during the study, which took place over an average of 10 years, and 80 percent of those first reported memory changes.
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Member Spotlight
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United Methodist Village
Godfrey, Ill.
Earlier this month, United Methodist Village (UMV), in Godfrey, Ill., held its first-ever "Senior Field Day," for its independent living community. Modeled after the field day celebrations many of us enjoyed in school, the day was an extension of UMV's Lifestyle and Wellness program.
Participants were treated to six different stations, which included a "make your own ice cream" station, led by UMV's Chef; a sensory station; a tie-dye station; a salsa dance station; a free handed circle-painting station; and a drum circle.
Attendees also partook of a picnic lunch and got to eat the ice cream they made, as well as take home their new tie-dyed t-shirts.
The group is looking to bring "Senior Field Day" to its assisted living community, as well.
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Senior Field Day participants try their hand at circle painting.
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Fundraiser Spotlight
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Dr. Melissa Sulin and
Beth Drolette
New Ipswich, N.H. and Fitchburg, Mass.
On October 12, Dr. Melissa Sulin, of Ipswich, N.H. and Beth Drolette of Fitchburg, Mass., will run the Newport, R.I. Rhode Races marathon to raise money for AFA. The duo chose AFA in memory of Sulin's mother-in-law, Betty McKearney had Alzheimer's disease.
"I witnessed, personally, the toll it took on her family and the amount of care she needed," said Sulin. "She was actually a caregiver in her younger days, working for the Visiting Nurse Association."
To date, the dynamic duo have raised $645 of their $1,000 goal.
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Upcoming Events
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November 7-9 - National Commemorative Candle Lighting Weekend of Prayer
AFA's National Commemorative Candle Lighting Weekend of Prayer is an annual event to remember and honor Americans who have been or will be affected by Alzheimer's disease or related illnesses. It is held each November in recognition of National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month.
Learn more
November 18 - National Memory Screening Day On November 18, AFA will host its annual National Memory Screening Day. Free, confidential memory screenings will be administered by qualified health professionals at local sites nationwide, including pharmacies, doctor's offices, libraries, long-term care settings, and houses of worship.
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