Alzheimer’s Association News:ALBUQUERQUE ― Families facing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease will have access to a free, education course in Pojoaque offered by the Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter.
“Skills for Dementia Caregiving 101” (aka The Savvy Caregiver Program) is a FREE seven-session program designed for family and friends caring for a loved one with dementia, and presented by the Alzheimer’s Association, NM Chapter.
The course will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. once a week, Tuesdays, from Feb. 6 through March 20, 2018. The course is being hosted at the Nuestra Señora De Guadalupe Church Parish Hall, 9 Grazing Elk Drive, Pojoaque, NM 87506. The instructors are Gary and Paula Sánchez.
To register or for more information contact: 1.800.272.3900 or kmgandara@alz.org.
This evidence-based training aims to teach caregivers practical techniques for interacting with loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, and for understanding and managing their behavior. It also imparts tools for long-term planning and for reducing stresses common to dementia or Alzheimer’s caregivers. The course explains the signs, impacts and pathology of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Class size is limited and they do fill up quickly. Call now to register. Participants of “Skills for Dementia Caregiving 101” (aka the Savvy Caregiver Program) may be reimbursed for the cost of having others tend to their loved one while they attend the classes.
The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is growing – and growing fast. Today, 5.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including an estimated 200,000 under the age of 65. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the US, and nearly two-thirds of those with Alzheimer’s disease – 3.3 million – are women. Nearly one in every three seniors who dies each year has Alzheimer’s or another dementia*.
Every 66 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s dementia. By 2050, someone in the United States will develop Alzheimer’s dementia every 33 seconds. By that same year, as many as 16 million will have the disease.
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease in America. The cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is estimated to total $259 billion in 2017, increasing to $1.1 trillion by mid-century.
Alzheimer’s takes a devastating toll – not just on those with the disease, but on entire families. In our own state, 38,000 New Mexicans are suffering from Alzheimer’s. They are cared for by 106,000 unpaid caregivers, many of whom are members of their own families.
Cognitive Decline is a strong indicator of future dementia, and according to figures released by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, it is a growing burden in New Mexico. As of 2016, 12.5 percent (or 1 in every 8) New Mexicans 45 and older report confusion or memory loss happening more often or getting worse (“subjective cognitive decline”); 33% of those with memory problems live alone, and for those with worsening memory problems, 58.2 percent say it has created “functional difficulties”. Nearly 54% of those with memory problems have not spoken to their doctor or healthcare professional about it.
If you need help, call us. Our 24/7 Helpline anytime is available any time, day or night for support or information: 1.(800).272.3900.
The Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter offers many free services and resources to caregivers and families facing the disease: support groups, care consultations, respite, educational presentations, safety programs, information and referral and more.
We have five branch offices in the state: Albuquerque (Main Office), Santa Fe (Northeastern New Mexico), Farmington (Northwestern New Mexico), Roswell (Southeastern New Mexico) and Las Cruces (Southwestern New Mexico). All offices may be contacted by calling 1.(800).272.3900.
*Source for all statistics: The 2017 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report at www.alz.org/facts.
