Supports for Families Affected by Alzheimer’s Disease

Erin Kirkland, Outreach Specialist

Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Agency of Alaska

Today’s Objectives

• Provide brief overview of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias

• Describe ADRAA programs, services, and supports

Alzheimer’s Disease

“A progressive, degenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain”

• Leads to loss of function and death of those cells

• Characterized by impaired thinking, memory, and behavior

• Most common cause of dementia among those age 65 and older

Dementia is…

• not a disease, but an umbrella term to describe a group of symptoms, including…

• Loss of intellectual function

• Loss of memory• Confusion• Behavior, personality

Causes of Dementia

Irreversible• Alzheimer’s disease• Pick’s disease• Parkinson’s disease• Lewy body dementia• Vascular accident• Cruetzfeldt-Jakob

disease

Reversible• Depression• Medication interaction• Thyroid disorder• Acute alcohol abuse• Anemia• Electrolyte imbalance

Alzheimer’s Disease: Cause?

• No concrete cause has been determined; age/genetics thought to be risk factors

• Diagnosis made through elimination of other conditions/diseases

• Sticky plaques on nerve cells prevent neuron firing (information transfer)

• Damage to cells done years before symptoms appear

Current AD Facts

• 5 million people in U.S. currently affected• 4,500 Alaskans• 1 in 10 people have family member w/ AD• $148 billion spent annually on direct/indirect care

Other points to ponder

• Men and women affected equally

• AD crosses all socio-economic and racial lines

• Each person affected in a different way…

• For a different amount of time

• Active brains are less likely to contract AD

ADRAA Programs/Services

Outreach/Education Care Coordination In-Home Services

Outreach/Education

• Offices in Anchorage, Mat-Su Valley, Fairbanks, Homer

• Provides access to all ADRAA services and programs

• Support Groups, family/provider consultations, education and training opportunities throughout the State.

Support Groups

• Regular, scheduled groups designed to offer peer support in a non-judgmental atmosphere

• Caregiver support groups held on Thursdays

• Memory Loss group held on Tuesdays for 8 weeks, all participants pre-screened

Education Opportunities

• Savvy Caregiver: 6-week class for families caring locally

• ABC Presentations: Offered to anyone interested in ADRD. Topics vary

• Research Forum: Annual event to provide Alaskans w/ current trends in research, treatment of AD

• Professional Caregiver Trainings/CEU’s

Mini-Grant Program

• Grant funds for services and items

• Alaskans diagnosed w/ ADRD

• Essential items to improve quality of life and/or increase independent functioning

• Maximum request is $2,500; multiple applications = $2,500 are accepted.

• Applications reviewed throughout year.

Care Coordination

• Care-planning services for adults in Anchorage area. Short/long term

• Assistance w/ locating and accessing community services.

• Eligible recipients are any individual w/ AD, and/or a frail elder age 60 or over

• Private pay ($55.00/hr) or Choice Medicaid Waiver

In-Home Services

• Respite: Short break for family caregivers• Chore: help for seniors not physically or

cognitively able to do household chores, meal prep, laundry, etc.

• CDPCA: Selected by consumer.

Consumer trains, supervises for Activities of Daily Living. Agency does payroll, insurance, etc.

In-Home Services, cont’d

• Eligible clients: Anyone diagnosed w/ AD or related dementia, and/or frail elder age 60 or older.

• Private pay $22.44/hr• Sliding scale based on household income• Medicaid• Statewide service

Why Contact ADRAA?

• Diagnoses of AD can be overwhelming; families often feel lost

• Agency staff can outline a “plan of action” to get started on needed support

• Educational benefits and peer support create sense of “knowledge is power”

• Help = Strength

How to Contact Us…

• In-person: 1750 Abbott Road Anchorage, AK 99507 8:00am – 5:00pm M-F

• By telephone: 907-561-3313 toll free in AK 1-800-478-1080

• Website: www.alzalaska.org