Yesterday I attended a training provided by the Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter, and it reminded what a great resource the organization is for persons with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or memory loss-and their family caregivers.
The Alzheimer’s Association website has multiple features, including education for persons with dementia and their caregivers. The online Caregiver Center provides information on being a healthy caregiver, caregiver stress and depression, grief and loss, relationship changes, and more. It covers safety issues such as driving and home modification, and discusses daily care topics including communication, dealing with difficult behaviors, activities, and more. It also offers free e-learning workshops such as Legal and Financial Planning for Alzheimer’s Disease, Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters, and others.
In addition to online education, the Association offers in-person classes across the state, including the 2-part Living with Alzheimer’s, Middle Stage – For Caregivers, on July 9 and 16, in Broomfield, and The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s, on July 19, in Boulder. To learn more about these and other courses, go to the website and select Classes and Workshops, then Calendar. Classes are listed by region.
The Association also sponsors dozens of in-person support groups for dementia caregivers, as well as an online support group. Groups are listed on the website. And the Association has social workers who do care consultations with family caregivers of persons with dementia. Each consultation includes a thorough assessment and an action plan.
For family caregivers faced with a loved one’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia, turning to the Alzheimer’s Association can provide direction, education, support, and other resources for more successful caregiving. To learn more, go to www.alz.org/co (for the local chapter) or call the 24-hour Helpline at 1-800-272-3900.
~ Emily Cooper is Information and Referral Specialist for Caregiver Programs with Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, a Division of Community Services. For more information on BCAAA caregiver services, call 303-678-6116 or email InfoCaregiver@bouldercounty.org/.