Share our new Alzheimer’s Navigator™

https://www.alzheimersnavigator.org/

Balance between work and family is a necessity, and for a caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s, it’s especially important. For employees who have expressed challenges caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s, the Alzheimer’s Association Alzheimer’s Navigator can serve as a guide to create a care plan. Navigator asks those facing the disease to answer a series of questions and responds with a customized plan and resources to help with any challenge. Please take a moment and share Alzheimer’s Navigator using this article.

Please plan ahead to promote these initiatives:

November – Recognize National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregiver Month

During November, National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregiver Month, the Alzheimer’s Association focuses on spreading awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia while offering support to the more than 15 million individuals who act as caregivers. The Association has several new tools to assist caregivers, including Alzheimer’s Navigator™, the Dementia and Driving Resource Center, and ALZ Connected™, offered free of charge through our website. View a full list of these tools at our online Care Center.

Often, an Alzheimer’s caregiver can feel overwhelmed and may not have the ability to recognize that they need help. To assist your employees who may be in this situation, please share this article, which includes helpful resources for caregivers. We also have an infographic that you can distribute which includes quick tips and suggestions for all caregivers.

December – Watch for signs of Alzheimer’s during the holidays

December is a busy month, filled with holidays and parties where people reunite with relatives whom they haven’t seen in months. The passage of time often makes it easier to notice changes in family and friends that might otherwise go unchecked. Please share the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, so your employees can recognize these signs in themselves and others. Anyone who exhibits these signs should see their physician.

Sincerely,

Angela Geiger
Chief Strategy Officer
Alzheimer’s Association

https://www.alzheimersnavigator.org/

http://optimumseniorcare.com/

Girardi manages Yankees in playoffs with a heavy heart

New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi has a difficult job, especially when having to juggle a lineup of slumping hitters this postseason. The recent loss of his father to Alzheimer’s disease makes his job even more challenging.
Read the article >>

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/new-york-yankees-manager-joe-girardi-father-dies-of-alzheimers-skipper-stays-with-team-for-postseason-to-honor-memory-10112

http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php

A warm puppy brings happiness, possible health benefits

Older loved ones may feel isolated when living alone at home or in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Research has shown that the interaction and companionship of a pet can lower stress levels, heart rates and blood pressure and increase levels of the feel-good hormone serotonin.
Read the blog post >>

http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php

http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php

Measuring brain plaques may yield clues to Alzheimer’s risk

http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=669532

A large amount of beta amyloid plaques in the brain may trigger more significant memory loss in healthy older people than the APOE ?4 allele, the genetic risk factor associated with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study. Researchers said the findings show that plaque-related brain decline may occur while people maintain normal memory and thinking, and that brain changes can be detected and measured while older people are still healthy.
Read the article >>

http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php

What an exciting time for NPDA!

It’s a time of celebration as 2012 marks the 10th Anniversary of the National Private Duty Association’s founding as the premier organization representing private duty agencies and the entire private duty home care industry. At our recent Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla. we revisited our success over the past 10 years and toasted to our future. Please take a look at our 10th Anniversary Video highlighting our history: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzFWbV5tq4g&feature=plcp

It’s a time of recognition as we thank Sheila McMackin, board president and founder of NPDA, for having the vision and courage to create a voice for the private duty industry. We must also recognize the leadership and service of the current and former members of the NPDA Board of Directors. Finally, we must recognize our members. From our charter members whose initial support helped form the NPDA to our current members whose ongoing support and participation allow us to provide the education and advocacy efforts needed to represent our industry.

It’s a time of transition as we prepare to rebrand and become the Home Care Association of America. We recently made this announcement and the change will take effect in 2013. This name change is important as we better define the association, member agencies and industry we represent and use the association to communicate and educate consumers and lawmakers.

I hope you’ll agree this time of celebration, recognition and transition is exciting. It allows us the opportunity to acknowledge our accomplishments in our first 10 years and prepares us well as we begin our next 10 years and beyond.