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Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline
The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in 140 languages. Our staff is highly trained and knowledgeable about all aspects of Alzheimer’s disease. Please call us if you have questions about:
- Alzheimer’s disease or memory loss, medications and treatment options, and care options.
- How our chapter can help you.
- Caregiving tips and respite options.
- Services available in your community and referrals.
You can also call us for emotional support - as often as you need. We know that living with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming at times. Remember, we are here for you.
Care Consultation
Our dedicated professional staff help people navigate through the difficult decisions and uncertainties people with Alzheimer’s and their families face at every stage of the disease. We can provide care consultation services to you by telephone, e-mail or in person. These include:
- Assessment of needs
- Assistance with planning and problem solving
- Supportive listening
Support Groups
There are many support groups in the Greater Iowa Chapter area, led by trained volunteer facilitators. These support groups are for caregivers as well as many areas offer early-stage or younger-onset support groups for people with Alzheimer's or dementia.
>Visit our Community Resource Finder to locate a support group near you.
> Download the Support Group Listings.
alzconnectedTM - Message Boards
The Alzheimer’s Association message boards and chat rooms are your online communication forum. Our message boards have over 9,000 registered members from around the United States, and many more people who simply browse the stories and information that is offered 24 hours a day.
>Join the Alzheimer’s Association online community.
Respite
Respite refers to a short time of rest or relief. Respite services can give caregivers time to fulfill personal needs and relax. There are several different ways respite care can be provided:
- In-home respite care
- Adult day centers
- Residential respite care
- Informal respite care
- Respite care for emergency situations
The Greater Iowa Chapter can provide assistance with accessing respite services. Please call us for information on selecting services and payment options. The Greater Iowa Chapter may be able to assist with some fees associated with respite through scholarships, when available.
Due to the vital need for respite and ongoing costs associated with these services, we are also always accepting donations specifically to help provide scholarships to caregivers for respite. For more information, call 515.440.2722.
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Publications
The Alzheimer’s Association offers a variety of fact sheets and brochures. Click here for a listing.
>Click here for the Greater Iowa Chapter brochure.
Virtual Library
The Alzheimer's Association Green-Field Library is a national, privately funded resource facility providing information, materials and services on Alzheimer’s disease. We are the nation’s largest library and resource center specifically devoted to increasing knowledge about the clinical, scientific and social aspects of Alzheimer's and related dementias. We fulfill thousands of inquiries a year serving a variety of audiences including the general public, educators, healthcare professionals and families living with Alzheimer's disease.
Our library can help:
- Answer questions about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
- Search for materials on topics
- Locate statistics
- Find a certain article or book title
- Connect you with resources
What you'll find in our Virtual Library:
- Use the Online Catalog to find out if we have the materials you're looking for in our collection.
- Explore Resource Lists, Databases and Links to find even more resources and materials that interest you.
- Go to Association Publications to access over 140 brochures, fact sheets and reports on Alzheimer's disease.
- Keep track of your favorite books, videos and Web sites through Social Bookmarking.
- Learn How to Borrow materials from the Green-Field Library or yours.
How to Order from our Library:
Contact the Alzheimer's Association nearest you as many offices carry their own local library of resources. If the office doesn't have the resources you are looking for, they can help you place an order and have them delivered to your local office within 24 hours!
Newsletter
The Greater Iowa Chapter newsletter, Connections, is available electronically.
>Sign up for our e-newsletter.
>View past copies of the e-newsletter.
Education Programs
We offer many educational programs each year that address the specific interests of the general public, individuals with the disease and their families. Some of these programs are now offered from the comfort of your own home!
>Visit our Education-Community page to see a list and description of those we offer, as well as those available through e-learning.
>To locate the services in your area, locate the Calendar/Community Resource Finder.
>View upcoming conferences available for professional and family caregivers.
Professional Training
We offer training for health care supervisors and direct care workers in assisted living and nursing homes. Many programs allow you to earn continuing education credits.
>Click on the Professional Education or Conference page to view upcoming educational opportunities.
E-Learning Workshops
Can't attend a local educational program? Want to take some courses in the comfort of your own home? View our selection of online courses at our e-learning center.
Multilingual Information
Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders that cause dementia know no boundaries. Many individuals and families in ethnic and cultural minority groups are in need of solid information about Alzheimer’s disease and health resources.
<Conferences
Throughout the year the Alzheimer's Association provides educational conferences for both professional and family caregivers as well as those with dementia. Topics and speakers vary but this is a great opportunity for individuals to gain the latest knowledge in dementia care, treatments, and research. Many conferences offer continuing education credits and contact hours for professionals. View our Conference page for more details and for upcoming dates and locations.
MedicAlert® + Safe Return®
Alzheimer's Association MedicAlert + Safe Return is a nationwide identification, support and enrollment program that provides assistance when someone with Alzheimer's or a related dementia wanders and becomes lost locally or far from home. Assistance is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If an enrollee is missing, one call immediately activates a community support network to help reunite the lost person with his or her caregiver.
Program Specific Donations:
MedicAlert + Safe Return can require significant financial expense, but can be lifesavers for recipients. There are either initial or ongoing charges for MedicAlert + Safe Return and the Alzheimer's Association is proud to offer scholarships to provide these programs free or at greatly reduced price for caregivers and people living with Alzheimer's in need. To continue to provide these scholarships, we must solicit donations specifically for this program. If you would like your donation to support MedicAlert + Safe Return please indicate so on your check or verbally when making a donation.
>Learn more about MedicAlert + Safe Return.
Alzheimer's Association TrialMatchTM
Welcome to Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch, a free service that makes it easy for people with Alzheimer's, caregivers, families and physicians to locate clinical trials based on personal criteria (diagnosis, stage of disease) and location.
Ground-breaking research is going on that could have a measurable impact on the lives of current and future Alzheimer's patients. But a lack of volunteers for Alzheimer's clinical trials is significantly slowing down this research and the development of new Alzheimer's treatments. Recruiting and retaining trial participants is now the greatest obstacle, other than funding, to developing the next generation of Alzheimer's treatments.
Participation in clinical studies provides an opportunity to advance and accelerate medical research and to contribute to the better health of future generations. The need for a variety of people are needed, those with the disease, family members, and the general public are all welcome to sign-up.
>Use the Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch service to find a clinical trial today.
Local Resources and Referrals
We maintain updated information on home care, adult day care, care coordination, assisted living, skilled nursing facilities, eldercare lawyers and transportation. Our staff and trained volunteers can help assess whether a specific care provider meets the individual needs of a person with Alzheimer’s. You can also check the Calendar/Community Resource Finder page online.
For more information, please contact us:
By phone: 1.800.272.3900
By email: Greateriowa@alz.org
Alzheimer's NAVIGATORTM
Map out a plan to approach Alzheimer's. When facing Alzheimer's disease, there are a lot of things to consider. We can help you and your family figure out the next steps to develop your personalized action plan.
Alzheimer's Navigator offers:
- Step-by-step guidance by answering short surveys
- Tips and Tools to use to be more informed
- Programs and services in your community
Click HERE to learn more about AlzNavigator.
Caregiver Center
Caregivers for Alzheimer's and dementia face special challenges and we offer an entire website of services designated to help guide you. You are not alone. Whether you need information about early-stage caregiving, middle-stage caregiving, or late-stage caregiving, the Alzheimer's Association is here to help. Visit the Alzheimer's & Dementia Caregiver Center for more details.
Safety Services
Safety is important for everyone, but taking specific precautions becomes vital as dementia progresses. By putting measures in place, you can prevent injuries and help the person with Alzheimer's feel comfortable. We have resources to assist.
Services offered include:
- Driving & Dementia resources
- Wandering
- Home Environment
- Medication Safety
Visit the Safety Center to learn more.
