Sign up for April’s live webinars

We know you are busy and may not always be able to attend education programs in a classroom setting, so we are now offering webinars – live interactive programs conducted through the internet. These convenient programs are designed to meet the needs of the busy caregiver.

Live Webinars

Cost: None.

The Alzheimer’s Association is pleased to announce its schedule of live webinars. Offered at various times throughout the day, the topics range from general awareness to specific caregiving strategies. Webinars are recorded and available to those who are unable to attend. Join us for one, or all!

Registration

Program

Day

Time
Register

Alzheimer’s Medications: What They Are and What They Do
Friday, April, 22, 2016
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
[ click here ]

Alzheimer’s Medications: What They Are and What They Do
Friday, April, 22, 2016
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
[ click here ]

Gadgets, Gizmos and Technology to Make Alzheimer’s Care Safer and Less Stressful
Thursday, May 12, 2016
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
[ click here ]

How Anyone Can Use Art to Help a Person with Alzheimer’s
Thursday, May 26, 2016

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

[ click here ]

How Anyone Can Use Art to Help a Person with Alzheimer’s
Thursday, May 26, 2016
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
[ click here ]

Caregiver Burnout: What to Do When You Have Nothing Left to Give
Thursday, June 23, 2016

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

[ click here ]

Caregiver Burnout: What to Do When You Have Nothing Left to Give
Thursday, June 23, 2016
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
[ click here ]

Webinar Descriptions:

Alzheimer’s Medications: What They Are and What They Do
Trying to understand the various medication options, relative efficacy and side effects can make your head spin. Learn about the current FDA-approved medications, what you can expect, and why it is important for you to talk to your doctor about what is working and what isn’t.

Gadgets, Gizmos and Technology to Make Alzheimer’s Care Safer and Less Stressful
You don’t have to spend a lot of money or be an expert in technology to take advantage of the many gadgets and gizmos available today. From high-tech monitors to automatic pill dispenser to sensors in the home, learn how to utilize technology to make caregiving safer and less stressful.

How Anyone Can Use Art to Help a Person with Alzheimer’s
Regardless of skill level, many people with dementia find great emotional and cognitive benefit in making or even viewing art. Join us as we learn the basics from a registered art therapist and licensed clinical counselor. Learn some simple tools you can use at home to aid with communication, mood, and behavior management. No art background required!

Caregiver Burnout: What to Do When You Have Nothing Left to Give
Alzheimer’s caregivers report higher levels of depression, illness and burnout than caregivers of those with any other condition. Find out why, and what you can do to overcome burnout and care for yourself.

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Chapter Headquarters
Greater Illinois – 8430 W. Bryn Mawr, Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60631
National Headquarters
Alzheimer’s Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601
Alzheimer’s Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

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Alzheimer’s Association report details financial impact of Alzheimer’s disease

The personal financial support required by a person living with Alzheimer’s disease may ultimately deprive care contributors of basic necessities such as food, transportation and medical care, according to the new Alzheimer’s Association 2016 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report. 2016 Facts and Figures provides an in-depth look at the prevalence, incidence, mortality and economic impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and includes a special report on the personal financial impact of Alzheimer’s on families.

PREVALENCE

The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is growing — and growing fast. An estimated 5.4 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s disease in 2016.

• Of the 5.4 million Americans with Alzheimer’s, an estimated 5.2 million people are age 65 and older, and approximately 200,000 individuals are under age 65 (younger-onset Alzheimer’s).
• One in nine people age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s disease.
• By mid-century, someone in the United States will develop the disease every 33 seconds.

These numbers will escalate rapidly in coming years, as the baby boom generation has begun to reach age 65 and beyond, the age range of greatest risk of Alzheimer’s. By 2050, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease may nearly triple, from 5.2 million to a projected 13.8 million, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent or cure the disease. Previous estimates based on high range projections of population growth provided by the U.S. Census suggest that this number may be as high as 16 million.

MORTALITY

Among people age 70, 61 percent of those with Alzheimer’s are expected to die before the age of 80 compared with 30 percent of people without Alzheimer’s — a rate twice as high.

Alzheimer’s disease is officially listed as the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. It is the fifth-leading cause of death for people age 65 and older. As the population of the United States ages, Alzheimer’s is becoming a more common cause of death. Although deaths from other major causes have decreased significantly in the last decade, deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have increased significantly — 71 percent. In 2013, over 84,000 Americans died from Alzheimer’s according to official death certificates; however, in 2016, an estimated 700,000 people with Alzheimer’s will die, and the disease likely will contribute to many of those deaths.

Alzheimer’s is the only disease among the top 10 causes of death in America that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.

CAREGIVERS

In 2015, 15.9 million family and friends provided 18.1 billion hours of unpaid care to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. That care had an estimated economic value of $221.3 billion. This is approximately 47 percent of the net value of Walmart sales in 2014 and eight times the total revenue of McDonald’s in 2014.

• Approximately two-thirds of caregivers are women, and 34 percent are age 65 or older.
• 41 percent of caregivers have a household income of $50,000 or less.
• On average, care contributors lose over $15,000 in annual income as a result of reducing or quitting work to meet the demands of caregiving.

Alzheimer’s takes a devastating toll on caregivers. Nearly 60 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers rate the emotional stress of caregiving as high or very high; about 40 percent suffer from depression. One in five care contributors cut back on their own doctor visits because of their care responsibilities. And, among caregivers, 74 percent report they are “somewhat” to “very” concerned about maintaining their own health since becoming a caregiver.

COST TO NATION

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the costliest chronic diseases to society. The growing Alzheimer’s crisis is helping to bankrupt Medicare.

• In 2016, total payments for health care, long-term care and hospice are estimated to be $236 billion for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, with just under half of the costs borne by Medicare.
• Medicare and Medicaid are expected to cover $160 billion, or 68 percent, of the total health care and long-term care payments for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
• Nearly one in every five Medicare dollars is spent on people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In 2050, it will be one in every three dollars.

Unless something is done, in 2050, Alzheimer’s is projected to cost more than $1 trillion (in 2016 dollars). Costs to Medicare will increase 360 percent. This dramatic rise includes a nearly five-fold increase in government spending under Medicare and Medicaid and a nearly five-fold increase in out-of pocket spending.

FINANCIAL IMPACT ON FAMILIES

Alzheimer’s takes a devastating toll – not just on those with the disease, but on entire families.

How much of their own money do families spend to provide for the needs of the person with Alzheimer’s? Are families prepared to handle the financial impact of Alzheimer’s disease? Because studies on this important topic are scarce, the Alzheimer’s Association commissioned a nationwide scientific survey of more than 3,500 Americans who were asked these questions and more.

Alarmingly, the survey revealed that many care contributors had to cut back on basic necessities — such as food and medical care — for themselves and their families. They are 28 percent more likely than other adults to eat less or go hungry because they cannot afford to pay for food. At the same time, many survey respondents had misconceptions about what expenses Medicare and Medicaid cover, leaving them unprepared to handle the tremendous costs associated with the disease. Taken together, the results of the survey point to the significant financial burden placed on families because their friend or family member with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia can no longer afford to take care of themselves.

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

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Do what you love! – Alzheimer’s disease
There are many ways to put your passion to work in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. And as you’ll see in this video, that’s what makes The Longest Day^® 2016 so special!
The Longest Day is unlike any other event. It’s your opportunity to have fun doing what you love — to honor those you love — who have been affected by Alzheimer’s.
Sign up today, and on Monday, June 20, you and your team can spend the first day of summer doing whatever you want. You can bowl. Shoot hoops. Play bridge. Bake. Garden. Dance.
What you do is up to you! And whatever you do will raise funds and awareness to advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association
Watch the video, and sign up to do what you love to honor people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers on The Longest Day.
Sincerely,
Wendy Moran
The Longest Day Team
P.S. The Longest Day 2016 is an opportunity to put your personal touch on the fight against Alzheimer’s. Watch the video now to see what past teams have done, and sign up to be part of something special!

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

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Download the Caregiver Buddy App

Caregiver Buddy is a free App that is a quick and easy way for caregivers to get “in the moment” tips and tricks while caring for someone with memory loss. Caregiver Buddy focuses on providing support for the caregiver in areas of daily routine, communication, behaviors, activities of daily living. It also provides live help 24 hours a day by clicking and calling the Alzheimer’s Association 24 hour helpline. Available in either Android or iPhone versions.

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

http://optimumseniorcare.com/blog/

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Music and art can enrich the lives of people with Alzheimer’s disease

Music and art allow for self-expression and engagement, even after Alzheimer’s or another dementia has progressed. Studies have shown music may reduce agitation and improve behavioral issues common in the middle-stages of the disease, and art can provide an opportunity for self-expression.

Music and art can enrich the lives of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Both allow for self-expression and engagement, even after dementia has progressed.

• Music
• Art

Music

From our Blog

Caregivers Take Note – Music
as Therapy
Although music has been with us since the dawn of time, in the last few decades studies have found that music as a therapeutic tool can increase cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients … read more.

Music can be powerful. Studies have shown music may reduce agitation and improve behavioral issues that are common in the middle-stages of the disease. Even in the late-stages of Alzheimer’s, a person may be able to tap a beat or sing lyrics to a song from childhood. Music provides a way to connect, even after verbal communication has become difficult.

Use these tips when selecting music for a person with dementia:

• Identify music that’s familiar and enjoyable to the person. If possible, let the person choose the music.
• Choose a source of music that isn’t interrupted by commercials, which can cause confusion.  
• Use music to create the mood you want. For example, a tranquil piece of music can help create a calm environment, while a faster paced song from someone’s childhood may boost spirit and evoke happy memories.
• Encourage movement (clapping, dancing) to add to the enjoyment.
• Avoid sensory overload; eliminate competing noises by shutting windows and doors and by turning off the television. Make sure the volume of the music is not too loud.

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Art

Map out a plan to approach Alzheimer’s

Go to our free online tool,Alzheimer’s Navigator and complete a series of short surveys to receive a customized action plan.
Learn more:
Alzheimer’s Navigator

Art projects can create a sense of accomplishment and purpose. They can provide the person with dementia — as well as caregivers — an opportunity for self-expression.
When planning an art activity for someone with middle- to late-stage Alzheimer’s, keep these tips in mind:

• Keep the project on an adult level. Avoid anything that might be demeaning or seem child-like.
• Build conversation into the project. Provide encouragement, discuss what the person is creating or reminiscence.
• Help the person begin the activity. If the person is painting, you may need to start the brush movement. Most other projects should only require basic instruction and assistance.
• Use safe materials. Avoid toxic substances and sharp tools.
• Allow plenty of time, keeping in mind that the person doesn’t have to finish the project in one sitting.

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