Alzheimer's Foundation Offers More Support for Caregivers
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 Beginning in May, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) is offering even more ways for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses to obtain support, counseling and referrals to vital services.
On May 3, AFA will debut its first-ever in-person support group in its Manhattan headquarters. This group, which will meet Tuesdays through May 24, from 6-7 p.m. EDT, will focus on general caregiving topics and is suitable for most caregivers. Registration is required and space is limited. For more information or to register, contact Lauren Snedeker, one of AFA's licensed social workers, at 866-232-8484 x117 or by e-mail.
Also, by popular demand, AFA is expanding the hours of its national toll-free helpline to include Saturdays. Beginning May 7, AFA's national toll-free helpline (866-232-8484), which is staffed by licensed social workers specifically trained in dementia care, will be open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT, as well as Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT.
"As any caregiver will tell you, caregiving is not a 9-5, Monday-Friday job, and sometimes, the times you really need an empathetic ear fall well after 'normal business hours,'" said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA's president and chief executive officer. "At AFA, we strive to help more people each day than we did the day before. Expanding the hours of our national toll-free helpline is just one way that we let caregivers know that we are here for them; they don't have to go it alone."
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Don't Miss Out! AFA's Nashville Concepts in Care Conference
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The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA), Mental Health America of Middle Tennessee (MHAMT) and Senior Helpers Nashville are teaming up to host a free educational conference for family and professional caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses. The conference, which will take place May 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., will be held at the Franklin Theatre, 419 Main Street, Franklin, Tenn. Seatts are going fast, so register today!
The conference will feature Alzheimer's and caregiving experts including, William Petrie, M.D., director of the Geriatric Psychiatry Outpatient Program at Vanderbilt University, who will discuss Alzheimer's, dementia and caregiving; Renee Kinder, M.S. C.C.C.-S.L.P., R.A.C.-C.T., clinical specialist at Evergreen Rehabilitation, who will discuss mealtime impairments in individuals with dementia; and Melanie Bunn, M.S., R.N., G.N.P, who will share positive communication approaches.
The conference will also showcase creative arts therapies, which have been shown to help shift moods, manage stress-induced agitation and stimulate positive interactions in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. In addition, attendees will be able to take advantage of free, confidential memory screenings.
Click here for more information or to register.
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Washington Update:
Senate Aging Committee Holds Hearing on Progress of National Alzheimer's Plan
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Sens. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.)
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The Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing, ' Finding a Cure: Assessing Progress Toward the Goal of Ending Alzheimer's by 2025,' to examine progress in the fight against Alzheimer's disease and implementation of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease.
Witnesses included Ronald C. Peterson, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care and Services , who testified that progress has been made since the introduction of the first national Alzheimer's plan in 2012, but "more needs to be done." Dr. Peterson cited recent increases in federal funding that has, "buoyed up the field of Alzheimer's disease dementia research and led to numerous research projects designed to characterize persons with these disorders at the earliest stage in the disease spectrum possible and to focus randomized control trials aimed at the various components of the disease process." Still, the deadline for finding a cure or modifying treatment is less than 10 years away, so Congressional "focus on more federal funding is necessary." Actor David Hyde Pierce, who served as a caregiver representative on the NAPA Advisory Board, told the Committee that while funding research is important, we "need an equally strong investment in caring for those living with the disease today. We need to prioritize actions within the National Plan that will have the greatest impact on improving the lives of those living with Alzheimer's and their families." In addition, Lisa Baron, founder of Memory Care Home Solutions, described her caregiver model, which trains caregivers to deal with the side effects of the disease and establish safeguards that can allow people living with Alzheimer's to stay out of a care facility as long as possible. Such caregiver models could save millions by delaying placement in more costly institutional settings while ensuring better health outcomes. Polly Bradley, director of Adult Day Services, Southern Maine Agency on Aging told the Committee of the benefits of adult day services which are designed to support, counseling and education to both the person with Alzheimer's and their family caregiver. In a statement released prior to the hearing, Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. AFA's president and CEO, called on Congress for an additional billion dollars in spending on Alzheimer's disease research at NIH in the fiscal year 2017 budget, "to ensure sufficient resources are appropriated if we are going to achieve the lofty, but achievable goal of making real progress in eradicating this devastating brain disorder and developing a cure or meaningful treatment by 2025."
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Occupational Therapists Get 10 Percent Discount on AFA's Dementia Care Training
In honor of Occupational Therapy Month, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) is offering a 10 percent discount on its latest training DVD, "AFA Partners in Care: Supporting Individuals Living With Dementia." Occupational therapists can order the "AFA Partners in Care" training DVD, and take advantage of the 10 percent discount, by contacting Molly Fogel, AFA's director of educational and social services, at 866-232-8484 x131 or by e-mail.Orders must be placed no later than April 29.
Free Webinar: Living Fully with Dementia
On May 2, AFA and the Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) will host a free webinar, entitled, "Living Fully with Dementia." Suitable for family and professional caregivers alike, this webinar is designed to help people ensure individuals with dementia are living meaningful lives. There will be two sessions: 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. EDT. Click here for more information or to register.
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We're Here to Help!
Call AFA's National Toll-Free Helpline and speak with a licensed social worker.
866-232-8484
Assistance available in English and Spanish.
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Member Spotlight
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Adult Day of Dunwoody
Dunwoody, Ga.
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The Adult Day of Dunwoody is an Adult Day Health Services Center that supports the daily living needs of adults to help them remain in their homes and communities for as long as possible. The center offers a variety of services ranging from nursing to physical, occupational and speech therapy, as well as Zumba, music therapy, and brain games that promote cognitive stimulation. They have a "Zen room" and a "man cave " and polite rescue dog, named Addy, to provide comfort and calm when participants wish a break from the activities.
Founded to fill the void left by the closing of the 27 year old Weinstein Center for Adult Day Services, Adult Day of Dunwoody currently serves approximately 35 clients per day. Recently, AFA awarded a family respite care grant to Adult Day of Dunwoody to help maintain respite scholarships for existing clients, bring back clients who could not pay for the services and attract new members. The group hopes to open additional adult day centers in the Atlanta metropolitan area in the future.
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Participants at Adult Day of Dunwoody
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Join Us:
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AFA Concepts in Care Educational Conference, New York
September 15
AFA Concepts in Care Educational Conference, Chicago
September 29
AFA Concepts in Care Educational Conference
Washington, D.C.
November 11
West Palm Beach, Fla.
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Subscribe to AFA Care Quarterly
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AFA Care Quarterly is a free, quarterly magazine for family and professional caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses. Subscribe today.
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Thank you for your support of AFA ! |
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