As we head into the Fall 2020 season, many Los Angeles area healthcare professionals are engaged in annual Alzheimer awareness activities. In particular, the region hosts various “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” events over the course of several weeks. These are organized by the highly respected Alzheimer’s Association, and their “Beach Cities” walk in Hermosa Beach typically enjoys strong participation. Although It will be held virtually this year due to COVID-19 concerns, the event is still expected to prove a huge success!
But Alzheimer awareness and research efforts deserve support from the broader community too. The disease has profound affects on both patients and their loved ones. And everyone benefits from collective advancements.
Here are 5 good reasons to support Alzheimer’s awareness and research efforts:
1) Alzheimer’s is Becoming an Epidemic – Some of today’s most debilitating diseases are also quite rare. And while that fact is of little comfort to those affected by them, it does mean the vast majority of people will live their lives unscathed. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s doesn’t fit that profile; it is both devastating and common.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, one in three American seniors will ultimately be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia. To put things in perspective, the organization also reports that Alzheimer’s disease results in more U.S. deaths than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. As for trending, their data suggests 5 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s, but the number will jump to 14 million by 2050!
2) Alzheimer’s Dramatically Affects Families and Caregivers – Serious diseases and chronic illnesses are always tragic. But an Alzheimer’s diagnosis particularly affects those close to the patient. Spouses suffer the cognitive and emotional loss of their life partner. Children wake up one day to find their own mother or father has no recollection of them or their shared past.
That’s not to say life doesn’t go on for Alzheimer’s patients and their loved ones. In fact, the whole purpose of Alzheimer’s awareness and research is to improve quality of life for those affected while working on prevention, treatment, and cures. But the broad-sweeping impact of a diagnosis means it’s imperative for communities to take the disease that much more seriously.
3) Advances in Research Show Promise – On a positive note, medical experts have made progress in Alzheimer’s research, which means every dollar directed toward the effort is money well spent! And there’s real hope a cure will be discovered in the foreseeable future.
But beyond the ultimate goal of finding a cure, Alzheimer’s research also focuses on developing treatments that slow the disease progression and improve quality of life. As with other progressive illnesses, families of Alzheimer’s patients benefit from extra years, months, and days of quality living. A patient who remembers her husband or daughter for just one more month might get to enjoy an additional anniversary or see the birth of a new grandchild!
4) Resources and Support are Available – Many people focus heavily on the benefits of Alzheimer’s research when considering causes such as the “Walk to End Alzheimer’s.” Once again, finding a cure is the ultimate goal. But organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association also provide valuable family support and resources.
Donations to the cause help to fund family caregiver groups and respite tools that provide much needed breaks from the daily stress of caring for a loved one with dementia. They also support educational programs that teach healthcare professionals and family members how to best care for those suffering from Alzheimer’s. While these efforts address the symptoms of the disease rather than finding a cure, they dramatically improve the quality of life for patients and affected love ones!
5) Alzheimer’s Care Takes a Special Touch – For healthcare professionals, patients, and families seeking effective dementia-care resources, it’s important to partner with knowledgeable providers. Alzheimer’s is a complex disease, and effective management requires specialized care led by highly trained personnel. Specifically, many families will seek out the assistance of professional home care agencies. And finding the right fit can make all the difference.
A well-matched company, like BrightStar Care of Torrance, will train aides in Alzheimer’s care and will only staff employees who have experience working with dementia patients. BrightStar Care and comparable organizations also have skilled nursing resources in place such as registered nurses (RNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). These clinical folks are critical in ensuring a proper start-of-care assessment is conducted as well as competent case management throughout the course of service.
Finally, families seeking home care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s should look for signs of a company’s commitment to supporting the Alzheimer’s community. Does the agency have a dementia-specific care program? Do they partner with the Alzheimer’s Association? BrightStar Care of Torrance can answer, “Yes,” to both questions and is a proud sponsor of this year’s “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” Beach Cities event!
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the Alzheimer’s epidemic is one of healthcare’s biggest crises. The disease dramatically affects patients and loved ones and is also quite common. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t light at the end of the tunnel. And organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association and supporting care providers like BrightStar Care are working to find solutions.
If you’re a family member seeking home care services for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or any other chronic disease, be sure to call BrightStar Care of Torrance today for a free assessment!
But Alzheimer awareness and research efforts deserve support from the broader community too. The disease has profound affects on both patients and their loved ones. And everyone benefits from collective advancements.
Here are 5 good reasons to support Alzheimer’s awareness and research efforts:
1) Alzheimer’s is Becoming an Epidemic – Some of today’s most debilitating diseases are also quite rare. And while that fact is of little comfort to those affected by them, it does mean the vast majority of people will live their lives unscathed. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s doesn’t fit that profile; it is both devastating and common.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, one in three American seniors will ultimately be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia. To put things in perspective, the organization also reports that Alzheimer’s disease results in more U.S. deaths than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. As for trending, their data suggests 5 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s, but the number will jump to 14 million by 2050!
2) Alzheimer’s Dramatically Affects Families and Caregivers – Serious diseases and chronic illnesses are always tragic. But an Alzheimer’s diagnosis particularly affects those close to the patient. Spouses suffer the cognitive and emotional loss of their life partner. Children wake up one day to find their own mother or father has no recollection of them or their shared past.
That’s not to say life doesn’t go on for Alzheimer’s patients and their loved ones. In fact, the whole purpose of Alzheimer’s awareness and research is to improve quality of life for those affected while working on prevention, treatment, and cures. But the broad-sweeping impact of a diagnosis means it’s imperative for communities to take the disease that much more seriously.
3) Advances in Research Show Promise – On a positive note, medical experts have made progress in Alzheimer’s research, which means every dollar directed toward the effort is money well spent! And there’s real hope a cure will be discovered in the foreseeable future.
But beyond the ultimate goal of finding a cure, Alzheimer’s research also focuses on developing treatments that slow the disease progression and improve quality of life. As with other progressive illnesses, families of Alzheimer’s patients benefit from extra years, months, and days of quality living. A patient who remembers her husband or daughter for just one more month might get to enjoy an additional anniversary or see the birth of a new grandchild!
4) Resources and Support are Available – Many people focus heavily on the benefits of Alzheimer’s research when considering causes such as the “Walk to End Alzheimer’s.” Once again, finding a cure is the ultimate goal. But organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association also provide valuable family support and resources.
Donations to the cause help to fund family caregiver groups and respite tools that provide much needed breaks from the daily stress of caring for a loved one with dementia. They also support educational programs that teach healthcare professionals and family members how to best care for those suffering from Alzheimer’s. While these efforts address the symptoms of the disease rather than finding a cure, they dramatically improve the quality of life for patients and affected love ones!
5) Alzheimer’s Care Takes a Special Touch – For healthcare professionals, patients, and families seeking effective dementia-care resources, it’s important to partner with knowledgeable providers. Alzheimer’s is a complex disease, and effective management requires specialized care led by highly trained personnel. Specifically, many families will seek out the assistance of professional home care agencies. And finding the right fit can make all the difference.
A well-matched company, like BrightStar Care of Torrance, will train aides in Alzheimer’s care and will only staff employees who have experience working with dementia patients. BrightStar Care and comparable organizations also have skilled nursing resources in place such as registered nurses (RNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). These clinical folks are critical in ensuring a proper start-of-care assessment is conducted as well as competent case management throughout the course of service.
Finally, families seeking home care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s should look for signs of a company’s commitment to supporting the Alzheimer’s community. Does the agency have a dementia-specific care program? Do they partner with the Alzheimer’s Association? BrightStar Care of Torrance can answer, “Yes,” to both questions and is a proud sponsor of this year’s “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” Beach Cities event!
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the Alzheimer’s epidemic is one of healthcare’s biggest crises. The disease dramatically affects patients and loved ones and is also quite common. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t light at the end of the tunnel. And organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association and supporting care providers like BrightStar Care are working to find solutions.
If you’re a family member seeking home care services for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or any other chronic disease, be sure to call BrightStar Care of Torrance today for a free assessment!