Currently, as many as 5.1 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, a brain disorder that is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.
While Alzheimer’s disease is not considered a normal part of aging, the risk for seniors developing this devastating disease rises as they get older. In fact, studies show the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years, beginning at age 65.
The disease costs businesses more than $60 billion a year in this country, stemming from lost productivity and absenteeism by primary caregivers and insurance costs. The annual cost of caring for a single person with Alzheimer’s disease ranges from about $18,500 to more than $36,000, depending on the stage of the disease.
Early warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, include: memory loss; confusion about time and place; struggling to complete familiar actions such as brushing teeth or getting dressed; trouble finding the appropriate words, completing sentences and following directions and conversations; poor judgment when making decisions; changes in mood and personality, such as increased suspicion, rapid and persistent mood swings, withdrawal and disinterest in usual activities; difficulty with complex mental assignments, such as balancing a checkbook or other tasks involving numbers.
With the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease escalating and the needs of families dramatically increasing as a result, Senior Helpers recently announced a strategic partnership with the Alzheimer’s foundation.
As part of the strategic partnership, Senior Helpers and AFA will co-sponsor educational conferences and web seminars related to care issues and collaborate on other projects that promote improved quality of care for the dementia population.
“This partnership was an easy decision for us at Senior Helpers because of our commitment to educating families and their elderly loved ones about the different stages of dementia and how to cope with every aspect of the disease,” said Peter Ross, CEO and co-founder of Senior Helpers. “Alzheimer’s is not only devastating for the senior living with the condition but it also creates a tremendous strain on the family.”
The foundation, based in New York, is a non-profit organization that unites more than 1,600 member organizations nationwide with the goal of providing optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia, and to their caregivers and families. Its services include a toll-free hot line, educational materials, professional training and a free quarterly magazine for caregivers. For more information, call toll-free (866) AFA-8484 or visit alzfdn.org.
Senior Helpers is a company that connects professional caregivers with seniors who wish to live at home as opposed to a nursing or assisted living facility. The company has 300 franchises in 39 states and one in Canada, offering a wide range of personal and companion care services to assist seniors living independently. For more information, go to seniorhelpers.com.