Our team is excited to be participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s this Saturday, October 19th at Bright House Field in Clearwater. The Pinellas County Walk to End Alzheimer’s brings together concerned citizens, caregivers, eldercare professionals, people with Alzheimer’s disease and anyone who wishes to raise awareness and funds for this important cause. “The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, this inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to reclaim the future for millions”.
Through the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and other activities, the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission is “to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health”. Our staff have been participating on the event organizing committee and raising funds together for the walk this weekend. If you want to find an Alzheimer’s walk in your community you can visit the Walk to End Alzheimer’s map.
Here are some key facts about Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Caregivers:
- More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s Disease.
- Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S.
- In 2012, 15.4 million caregivers provided more than 17.5 billion hours of unpaid care valued at $216 billion.
- Nearly 15% of dementia caregivers are long-distance caregivers. Long-distance caregivers face special challenges trying to manage from a distance and ensure their loved ones’ safety, particularly in cases of dementia. If you are a long-distance caregiver, you might want to check out our post on Solutions for Long-Distance Caregiving Challenges and our Checklist for Visiting Aging Parents.
- The challenges and costs to families dealing with Alzheimer’s are immense. Additionally, if the societal costs continue to grow as projected the impacts may be catastrophic. In 2013, Alzheimer’s will cost the U.S. $203 billion. This number is expected to rise to $1.2 trillion by 2050.
Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive disease, with no cure currently. For individuals and families the diagnosis and path of the disease can be quite devastating. Fortunately, there are many great resources to assist persons with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. If your family is facing a dementia diagnosis, check out some of the fact sheets and resources available through the Alzheimer’s Association and seek help and advice from trusted eldercare professionals. There are treatment options to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Additionally, there are more good quality care options and assistance out there for families today.
We have a number of articles on our blog about home care resources, Alzheimer’s Specialty Care and tips for family caregivers. We also offer a free Alzheimer’s Specialty Care Guide Ebook, with tips for specific issues that dementia caregivers often face.
Our Senior Care Consultant, Sue Talbott, would be happy to schedule a consultation to discuss your concerns and needs. EasyLiving offers respite care for Alzheimer’s Caregivers, Alzheimer’s Specialty Home Care in Pinellas County and special services like medication management and senior transportation. Contact EasyLiving for help, answers and resources at 727-448-0900.
Join us in raising awareness for Alzheimer’s Disease. Consider checking out a walk in your local area or making a donation. You might also be interested in reading “There Are Many Reasons Why I Walk to End Alzheimer’s“, a blog post by one walker about her personal journey. Check out EasyLiving on Facebook and join our supportive caregiver community. We’ll be posting some pictures of our team and the local walk.
*Statistics and picture from The Alzheimer's Association
