Take Me To Post Comment Form Alzheimer's type dementia (gradual loss of memory and ability to care for oneself)is changing the lives of hundreds of caregivers and patients in Statesboro today. Alzheimer's affects 5.2 million Americians today and that awesome total is expected to rise to as many as 16 million by 2050.One out of every 8 people age 65 could be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Multiply that number by the family caregivers who lose time at work or quit work to care for their loved ones and you can see the economic and social burden this disease causes.
The Alzheimer's Association sponsors many programs to assist families and patients. On Monday, July 14th from 1:30-3:00 pm, join us at a caregiver support group meeting at the First Methodist Church library and learn ways to manage caregiver stress and patient anxiety.
If you are caring for a person with a diagnosis of dementia, who has lost control of their urine or bowels, you may receive a free package of hygiene supplies once a month at the "caring closet" at the Outreach Center near the health dept. Call 1-800-272-3900 for more information or go to www.alz.org/georgia
Stressors for the caregiver include: loved one can't follow instructions, repeats questions, stories, concerns, the patient wants to be right next to the caregiver all the time or will not let anyone touch or help him, the patient may use profanity, get extremely angry, insist on doing thing no longer safe or sleep and eat too much or too little.
Stressors for the patient include: trying to maintain life where everyone tells him he is wrong, losing the ability to communicate his needs, loss of independence for a person who was a leader, fear of the future, embarassment over things he can no longer do for himself.
Share your ideas, concerns, questions and faith with us the second Monday of each month at Statesboro First Methodist Church 1:30-3:00 pm.