One in 10 people age 65+ has Alzheimer’s dementia. Every 66 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s bringing the total of those living with Alzheimer’s to more than 5.5 million people. By 2050 that number could reach 16 million! It is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. It is the only top 10 disease that cannot be prevented or cured.
Should you be worried?
As we age our mind does change but not every change is a sign of Alzheimer’s. We are all familiar with the term “senior moment.” Perhaps you’ve walked into a room only to get there and forget just what you’ve come in for? Or maybe you’ve forgotten what day it is only to remember it later. These challenges are absolutely normal! They can be attributed to stress, being tired or simply having too much on your mind. A person with Alzheimer’s will never recall why they were going in that room. They may lose track of days or even seasons. One of the toughest challenges a person caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s may find is that the person they’re caring for doesn’t realize they have Alzheimer’s.
Caring for those with Alzheimer’s dementia
Like raising a child today, caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s takes a village. It’s estimated that nearly 16 million family and friends provided unpaid care to someone living with Alzheimer’s. Of those people, a quarter of them are part of the “sandwich generation” meaning they care for both an aging parent and a child or children under the age of 18. Remember to ask for help – even small amounts of respite are essential. Caring for someone requires staying healthy and caring for your self.
ABC has Alzheimer’s trained caregivers that have completed the extensive Alzheimer’s Association Habilitation training curriculum, enabling us to provide better care to our clients with this debilitating disease. In a world that has so much happening, taking the time to truly understand what it feels like to a person with Alzheimer’s makes such a difference. Our team is trained to work with the client and their family to ensure the environment is dementia friendly for our clients living with Alzheimer’s. When a person is living with this disease they may begin to forget to clean themselves or their home creating an overwhelming atmosphere for daily living. We are here to help. In addition, a loved one with Alzheimer’s self esteem can drop and they may begin to withdraw. Our team is trained to help those living with this disease stay actively engaged and involved throughout the day. Let our team help you care for your loved one.
Remember, a person may forget they have Alzheimer’s; therefore we always need to remember.
For more information on Alzheimer’s visit the Alzheimer’s Association.
