ALZHEIMER’S News:ALBUQUERQUE ― Families facing Alzheimer’s disease will have access to a free, seven-week education course in Santa Fe offered by the Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter. The course will be offered as both an afternoon and evening course.
“The Savvy Caregiver” a FREE seven-session course presented by the Alzheimer’s Association, NM Chapter. The afternoon course option is 1-3 p.m., once a week, beginning each Tuesday, Jan. 10 through Feb. 21. This afternoon option will be held at Brookdale Santa Fe Assisted Living located at 640 Alta Vista in Santa Fe.
The evening course is 5-7 p.m., Thursdays, starting Jan. 12, and running through Feb. 23. These sessions will be held at Pacifica Senior Living, 2961 Galisteo Road in Santa Fe.
To register or for more information on either class, contact: Tina De La Luz, (505).473.1297,tdelaluz@alz.org.
This evidence-based training aims to teach caregivers practical techniques for interacting with loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease, and for understanding and managing their behavior. It also imparts tools for long-term planning and for reducing stresses common to Alzheimer’s caregivers. The course explains the signs, impacts and pathology of Alzheimer’s disease.
Class size is limited and they do fill up quickly. Call now to register. Participants may be reimbursed for the cost of having others tend to their loved one while they attend the classes.
The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is growing – and growing fast. Today, 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including an estimated 200,000 under the age of 65. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the US, and nearly two-thirds of those with Alzheimer’s disease – 3.3 million – are women. Nearly one in every three seniors who dies each yearhas Alzheimer’s or another dementia*.
Someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s every 66 seconds. In 2050, someone in the United States will develop the disease every 33 seconds. By that same year, up to 16 million will have the disease.
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s.
The growing Alzheimer’s crisis is helping to bankrupt Medicare. In 2016, the direct costs to American society of caring for those with Alzheimer’s will total an estimated $236 billion, with just under half of the costs borne by Medicare. This cost is projected to increase to $1.1 trillion (in today’s dollars) by 2050.
Alzheimer’s takes a devastating toll – not just on those with the disease, but on entire families. In our own state, 37,000 New Mexicans are suffering from Alzheimer’s. They are cared for by 106,000 unpaid caregivers, many of whom are members of their own families.
The Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter offers free classes to caregivers and families facing the disease. Call 505.266.4473 or the 24/7 Helpline at 1.800.272.3900 for more information.
