Alzhemier's caregiver training sessions available

Every 68 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer’s Disease.  And, for every one of the 5.4 million Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s, there are a handful of people who help care for that individual.

As the Upper Michigan population of 65 and older residents increases, so does the focus on how to teach caregivers the tools they need.  The active U.P. chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is led by Ruth Almen.  Almen says training caregivers allows them to not only help the patient with Alzheimer’s or dementia, but it also allows the caregivers to know their own limits.

Almost always, these friends and family members have little to no medical training.  Caring for a patient with dementia involves treating many issues. Dr. Amy D’Aprix represents Home Instead, a group offering more than 600 national Alzheimer’s training sessions.  The program is free for families and caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Home Instead is the world’s leading provider of in-home care services for seniors, with more than 950 locations.  Its first-of-its-kind family training program addresses current and future health needs by offering family members a fresh approach to providing Alzheimer’s care—one that encourages mental engagement to help relatives remain safely at home and in familiar surroundings as long as possible.

The Alzheimer’s CARE program is available at no cost through in-person training sessions in select U.S. cities and online courses.  For more information on the program,  visit www.helpforalzheimersfamilies.com.

Dr. Amy D’Aprix, MSW, PhD, CSA, is an Alzheimer’s care giving expert, a life transition consultant, author, professional speaker, facilitator, coach and expert in aging, and retirement.  She is also the author of From Surviving to Thriving – Transforming Your Caregiving Journey and Building the Bonds of Friendship in Mid-Life and Beyond.  Dr. D’Aprix’s passion for caregiving is driven both from her professional background as well as her personal experience caring for her own parents for over a decade.

Hear more from Dr. D’Aprix and  Ruth Almen, U.P. Regional Alzheimer’s Association, on ABC 10 News Now this week at 5:30 and 11 p.m. and on an upcoming edition of ABC 10 “In Focus”, which airs Sunday at noon.