Alzheimer’s Association releases caregiver resources

DES MOINES — The Iowa chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has made new online resources available for people who live with the disease, and those who take care of them.

November is National Caregiver Month, and the number of people looking after family members and loved ones continues to grow.

The Alzheimer’s Association Iowa chapter’s Erica Eikern says its Transition in Care program is there to help people with Alzheimer’s and their families navigate the disease at every stage. “In the state of Iowa alone, we have a little over 62,000 people that have been impacted by having Alzheimer’s of another form of dementia, which equates to about 80,000 people in our state that are taking care of them.”

Eikern also points to a new app called My ALZ Journey that was designed to help caregivers know what people can do when friends or family members are newly diagnosed.  “And really just helps people who are newly diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s to really have  that tailored, personalized support that they need when caregiving for someone with dementia.”

More than 12-million Americans serve as caregivers for someone with Alzheimer’s, and provide assistance valued at more than 441-billion dollars. While some drugs have recently been approved that slow it’s progress, there is no cure for the disease. The Alzheimer’s Association has also just released an online education program designed for middle- and late-stage caregivers to build skills, manage stress and find community.