Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disorder that affects memory, judgement, language, personality and behavior of sufficient severity that it interferes with a person’s daily functioning. Alzheimer’s disease most commonly affects people over the age of 65 and is the fourth leading cause of death among American adults. Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible dementia for that there is no known cause or cure.
Presently there are four million Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. In Lee Country there are twelve thousand residents who have Alzheimer’s disease. As the Baby Boomers age, the numbers will increase to fourteen million Americans by the year 2050.
As the disease progresses, a person initially experiences forgetfulness and decline in mental functioning and then impairment in physical functioning. The individual with Alzheimer’s s disease becomes totally dependent on others for his/her care. The course of the disease varies from person to person, as does the rate of decline from onset to death Alzheimer’s disease can last from three to twenty years, with an average course of seven to eight years.
Caregivers faced with the daily challenges of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease are in need of education and support in order to learn coping strategies and meet the needs of their loved ones. The Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center, a United Way agency, provides educational, informational and supportive assistance to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder and their caregivers in Lee County.
The Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center provides a variety of services to help caregivers understand the disease process, develop effective coping strategies and implement plans in order to prevent crisis situations. The Dubin Center’s programs include: 1) eleven monthly support group meetings throughout Lee County; 2) a bi-monthly newsletter; 3) a lending library of hooks, videos, and pamphlets regarding memory impairment arid caregiver issues; 4) individual assistance to help families cope with the challenges of caregiving, 5) educational seminars for professionals and family caregivers; and 6) a Safety Program which includes an emergency plan kit for caregivers id an application for a wanderer’s identification bracelet.
Courtesy of The Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center office
located at 9470 HealthPark Circle,
Ft. Myers. For more information, please call 941-437-3007.
