Supports for Families Affected by Alzheimer’s Disease

Tony Gobroski, Education Specialist Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Agency of Alaska

Today’s Objectives…

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

• Provide descriptions of ADRAA programs and services

Alzheimer’s Disease

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

Leads to loss of function and death of those nerve cells

Characterized by impaired memory, thinking and behavior

Most common cause of dementia among those age 65 and older

What is Dementia?

• Not a disease, dementia is a term to describe a group of symptoms, including:

• Loss of intellectual functions

• Loss of memory• Confusion• Behavioral changes• Personality changes

Causes Include…

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

disease

Reversible• Depression• Medication side-effect• Thyroid disorders• Acute alcohol abuse• Anemia• Electrolyte imbalance

Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease

• No concrete cause has been determined, but age/genetics are thought to be risk factors

• Diagnosis made through elimination of other conditions/diseases

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

• Cell loss/chemical imbalance leads to decline of brain’s abilities

• Damage to cells done years before symptoms appear

Current AD Facts

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

Other points to ponder…

• AD crosses all socio-economic, racial, gender boundaries

• Each person is affected in a different way

• Active brains are less likely to contract AD

ADRAA Programs/Services

Education/Outreach Care Coordination In-Home Services

Education/Outreach

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

• 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

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 service for adults in Anchorage area. Short or 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 preparation, 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 should people contact ADRAA?

• Diagnosis of ADRD 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 Monday-Friday

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

• On the web www.alzalaska.org