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Congress Ready to Call Alzheimer’s a Public Health Issue

As the number of men and women diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease soars, the cost of care also soars. In 2017, it’s expected that the total cost of Alzheimer’s care will top $250 billion. This growth led to the U.S. Congress to support the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act. The Congress is ready to declare Alzheimer’s and dementia as being a public health issue.

Home Care Services in Marietta GA: Increasing Alzheimer's Cost's
Home Care Services in Marietta GA: Increasing Alzheimer’s Cost’s

 

What is the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act?

S. 2076/H.R. 4256 looks at Alzheimer’s disease as a public health risk. It shifts attention to creating a solid plan to prevent, treat, and care for people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The primary goals are to make sure that there are measures in place to:

• Provide early detection

• Make sure all patients receive the same level of dementia care, even if they are lower income

• Prevent unnecessary hospitalizations

• Lower the risk of declining cognitive abilities

• Offering more support to Alzheimer’s caregivers

• Providing a better plan for disease management and care

 

In order to do this, the BOLD Act would:

• Provide $5 million to help the CDC collect data regarding Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in each state.

• Provide $12 million to provide centers to offer support and education to family members, medical workers, and community organizations.

• Provide $20 million to individual state health departments to focus on Alzheimer’s care and preventative programs.

 

Research suggests that lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. These changes include losing weight, stopping smoking, getting plenty of exercises, and eating a healthy diet that avoids processed foods, fats, and excess sugar. Part of the plan with this bill is to focus on programs that make it easier for people to understand what they can do to reduce their risk.

 

Tips for Caring for Your Mom or Dad

If your parent has Alzheimer’s, you need to try to keep your stress down. It is harder to do than you might think. A parent with Alzheimer’s can be demanding, prone to mood swings, and often shows toddler-like behaviors. It’s important that you think of yourself, too. Make sure you’re taking breaks and returning to care for your mom or dad with a clear mind.

Home care agencies partner you with a caregiver who can take over in your absence. You go out with friends, spend time with a spouse or your children, and take as long a break as is needed to refresh. Learn more about respite services by calling a home care agency now.

If you or an aging family member are considering home care services in Marietta, GA,
please contact the caring staff at Caring Companions of Atlanta 470-514-5954.

 

Source: https://www.alz.org/facts/

Could Your Aging Adult Benefit from Talking to Someone for Support

 

Aging can be extremely trying for your senior on an emotional level. She may find that she’s dealing with emotions that she doesn’t know how to manage or that she’s experiencing depression. If that’s the case, talking to one or more specific people can be extremely helpful for your aging adult.

 

Caregiver in Brookhaven GA: Senior Support
Caregiver in Brookhaven GA: Senior Support

 

Talking to Her Doctor

If you suspect that your senior is depressed or that she’s having a difficult time coping with her health issues, it might be a good idea to start with talking to her doctor. He can help to narrow down potential causes, medication interferences, and any other concerns that you might need to face. For depression and negative feelings that have a medical cause, your elderly family member’s doctor is the best option for finding a solid solution.

 

Seeing a Therapist or Counselor

Your senior might benefit from having a professional to talk to about how she’s feeling. She may need help working through the changes that she’s experiencing. Therapists can help her to develop coping mechanisms that are healthier than some of the choices she may already be facing. In some cases, simply talking through what is going on can be extremely helpful.

 

Joining Support Groups

If your senior has been diagnosed with a specific illness or condition, joining a support group can be incredibly beneficial. Usually, this involves meeting other people who are dealing with the same situation as your senior. Feeling less alone can be a powerful way for your aging adult to heal and to move forward from where she is now.


Having Senior Care Providers Available

Sometimes depression and other negative feelings arise from loneliness and isolation. If that’s the case for your aging adult, it’s possible that having someone around when you can’t be there is just what she needs. You can also try helping other friends and family members set up times to be more available for visits if that’s something that your elderly family member is open to doing.

Depression usually doesn’t go away on its own. If your senior doesn’t want to talk to someone now, she may change her mind with a bit of time.

If you or an aging family member are considering caregiver in Brookhaven, GA,
please contact the caring staff at Caring Companions of Atlanta 470-514-5954.