In 1983, President Ronald Reagan, who was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, designated November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. President Bill Clinton named the week of Thanksgiving as a time to honor caregivers in 1997, and that has expanded to National Family Caregivers Month.
As an organization founded by caregivers, the Alzheimer’s Association applauds caregivers and hopes to make their efforts a little easier year round with innovative resources that have been designed specifically with families in mind.
“Alzheimer’s is a progressive and fatal disease that affects not only the individual with Alzheimer’s, but also the loved ones around them,” said Heather Hershberger, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter. “More than 326,000 Hoosiers are currently caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. The importance is now greater than ever to extend our support to caregivers.”
This year the Alzheimer’s Association launched two free resources for families impacted by Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s Association Alzheimer’s Navigator is an online tool to help caregivers and people with dementia evaluate their needs, identify action steps and connect with local programs and services. Developed with feedback from people living with Alzheimer’s and caregivers, Alzheimer’s Navigator also allows users to reassess needs and adjust care plans as the disease progresses.
ALZConnected, powered by the Alzheimer’s Association, is the first social networking community designed for people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.
Following a brief welcome survey, Alzheimer’s Navigator users complete a set of focused questions. Their responses result in customized action steps ranging from activities of daily life to legal and financial planning to safety precautions. Each user’s action plan is specific to current needs and is designed to change as the disease progresses.
When local resources are needed, Alzheimer’s Navigator works in conjunction with Community Resource Finder, an online search engine, to link the user to community programs and resources such as adult day care or long-term care facilities.
Alzheimer’s Navigator users can also create and manage care teams so that multiple people can participate in the customized action plan, enabling long-distance caregivers to be involved and primary caregivers to share the responsibility. Alzheimer’s Navigator is at www.alzheimersnavigator.org.
ALZConnected is a specialized social network that allows members to connect and communicate with people who understand their unique challenges, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They can also pose questions and offer solutions to dementia-related issues, create public and private groups organized around a dedicated topic and contribute to message boards.
ALZConnected combines the features of many social networking sites and the popular Alzheimer’s Association’s message boards. Members create “connections” by extending and receiving invitations. ALZConnected may be accessed at www.alzconnected.org.
There are 120,000 people living with Alzheimer’s and 326,151 unpaid caregivers in Indiana, according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2012 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures.
The Alzheimer’s Association will continue to assist families in a variety of ways to best meet their needs. Alzheimer’s Association chapters nationwide facilitate more than 4,500 support groups and conduct 20,000 education programs annually.
The Alzheimer’s Association provides consultation to 250,000 people in need each year through its toll-free 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900). The only one of its kind, the Helpline is staffed by master’s-level counselors and provides information and guidance in more than 170 languages and dialects.
For more information on Alzheimer’s disease or available resources, visit alz.org/indiana or call 1-800-272-3900.
Health & Fitness
Alzheimer’s Association honors caregivers
- Health & Fitness
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Stay cool when exercising this summer
Early summer weather can provide the ultimate motivation to get outside and be active.
- Support groups: June 12, 2013
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Mental health education, wellness event planned
The Human Resources Center of Edgar and Clark Counties is having an open house: “A ‘New Era’ in Mental Health and Recovery,” a free public education and wellness event.
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Mental health first aid course scheduled
There will be a mental health first aid course with Youth MHFA certification from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on June 21 at the Human Resources Center, 118 E. Court, Paris, Ill.
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CHRIS DAVIES: Good old-fashioned exercise helps you get through the day
Are you looking for more energy to get through the day? Look no further than good old-fashioned exercise.
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Weight Watchers open house set
Weight Watchers will host a “Live Life Active” open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Meadows Shopping Center.
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Learn about Alzheimer’s disease at free workshop
“Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease: The Basics,” a free workshop on Alzheimer’s disease, will be from 11 a.m. to noon June 5 at the Vigo County Public Library.
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Newsmaker: May 29, 2013
The work of health care providers, public safety workers and community leaders who have given above and beyond care to Hoosier children was celebrated at the 2nd Annual Health Care Heroes Breakfast on May 22 at Ruth Lilly Education Center.
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Skin cancer is next Dine with a Doc topic
Another free Dine with a Doc lunch event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 22 at the Wabash Senior Citizen’s Center, 300 S. Fifth St.
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Support Groups: May 15, 2013
Cancer Friendship Group, featuring a journaling workshop with therapeutic writer Nia Klein, 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, conference room B, Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center; 217-465-2606, ext. 290.
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Protect yourself from skin cancer
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and Monday was designated as Melanoma Monday to help raise awareness of melanoma and other skin cancers. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. and affects more people than lung, breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.
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Paris Hospital Volunteers' chocolate sale is May 23-24
The Paris Community Hospital Volunteers will sponsor a South Bend Chocolate Company sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 23 and 24 near the FMC rotunda entrance.
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Stay safe during flooding with tips
Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States. Floods can develop over the course of a few weeks or happen quickly.
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Support groups: May 8, 2013
Wabash Valley Breast Cancer Survivors Inc.,
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Journal writing workshop coming up at Paris hospital
Therapeutic writer Nia Klein will conduct a journal writing workshop at the Cancer Friendship Group meeting at 10 a.m. May 21 in conference room B at Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center.
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Church to sponsor blood drive
Trinity Lutheran Church is sponsoring a blood drive from 3 to 7 p.m. on Monday in Fellowship Hall at the church, 2620 Ohio Blvd.
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Walk to bring hope to bereaved families, awareness
Compassionate Friends of the Wabash Valley are sponsoring a “Walk to Remember,” to support families after a child dies, from 2 to 5 p.m. on May 18 at Larrison Pavilion in Deming Park.
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Dine with a Doc to feature ISU professor
A free Dine with a Doc event, featuring Lisa Borrero Ph.D., is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday at Providence Housing Corp. All Place in West Terre Haute.
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Free Vial of Life kits available in Paris
In recognition of National Hospital Week in May, Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center will provide free Vial of Life kits to the community.
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Free Zumba Gold presentation offered
The Maple Center for Integrative Health and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute offer a free presentation on Zumba Gold by Cathleen Drobny from 1 to 3:30 p.m. May 1 in Westminster Village at 1120 East Davis Drive.
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Senior Menu: April 24, 2013
Reservations are required 24 hours in advance at all senior citizens dining sites in Vigo, Clay, Parke, Vermillion, Sullivan and Putnam counties.
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Child Passenger Safety Tech course coming up
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration certification course for child passenger safety will be conducted from 8 AM to 5 PM on May 2, 3, 10, and 11.
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Health briefs: April 24, 2013
‘Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Late Stage’ presentation set for May
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Crawford County Triathlon slated for May 25
Lincoln Trail College and Ecton Hardware are hosting the Crawford County Triathlon on May 25 at the college.
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April 26 sharing session to be therapeutic for Parkinson’s patients
Strength in numbers.
That concept underlies the theme of a gathering Friday, April 26 in Westminster Village. People afflicted with Parkinson’s disease, and friends and family who care for those ailing folks, will share their stories of their struggles and successes with the progressive disorder that touches more than 1 million American lives. -
Get a hair cut and health screenings all in one stop
Visiting the barber shop today could mean more than just getting a haircut; it might save your life.
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Dine with a Doc to feature Dr. Roland Kohr
Another Dine with a Doc event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Providence Housing Corporation All Place, 219 North Providence Place, West Terre Haute.
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Hunter education course scheduled this weekend
An Indiana Hunter Education Course is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday-Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Good Hope Baptist Church, 440 W. County Road 850 S., in Clay City.
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Hospice hosting ‘Run and Remember’ fundraiser
Hospice of the Wabash Valley will be hosting a “Run and Remember” fundraising event at 11 a.m. Saturday at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.
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Disability Awareness Month events planned
Bridges of Indiana has planned two events in March to celebrate Disability Awareness Month.
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