The Greater Wisconsin Chapter announces the following Special Events for the remainder of 2008

November 2008 - National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month

November is National Alzheimer Disease Awareness Month (NADAM) and National Family Caregivers Month.  The Alzheimer's Association is one of the nation's leading resources for caregivers and people living with the Alzheimer's disease and related dementia.

It is estimated that more than 10 million family caregivers provide daily comfort and care to those living with dementia. Evidence shows that caregivers are susceptible to such high levels of stress that their own mental and physical health suffers.

While serving as a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s disease can be rewarding, the stress that comes with it is inevitable. Caregiving can cause a mental drain (often resulting in depression, anger and irritability) and a physical toll (exhaustion, sleeplessness, etc.) that are real issues you shouldn’t ignore.

More than 40 percent of the 10 million American unpaid caregivers rate the emotional stress of caregiving as high or very high. Additionally, caregivers for someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia are more likely than non-caregivers to report that their health is fair or poor.

As the leader in the fight against Alzheimer’s the Alzheimer’s Association offers a number of resources to help you deal with caregiver stress. As part of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month in November, we are adding two new programs especially for caregivers:

• Caregiver Stress Check, a first-of-its-kind, interactive quiz that helps caregivers identify their symptoms of stress and provides them with a tailored list of helpful referrals and resources. Check out the quiz starting by http://www.alz.org/stresscheck/

• Two new, best-in-class, topical videos for caregivers and people with dementia: 1) “Understanding Alzheimer’s: An introductory guide for people with dementia and their caregivers” and 2) “Alzheimer's and Safety: A guide to planning and preparation”. Aimed at increasing understanding, building skills and empowering people with dementia and those in their circle of care, these leading videos feature essential information on dementia basics, care, home and transportation safety delivered by individuals with dementia, family caregivers, physicians and care experts. Videos will be offered in DVD format beginning Nov. 1 and through local Alzheimer's Association chapters nationwide.

November 2008 - Candlelight Vigils

National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month (NADM) celebrates the lives of those diagnosed by Alzheimer's Disease and pays respect for those caregivers who are affected by this disease every day of their lives.  The Alzheimer's Association of Greater Wisconsin sponsors a series of Candlelight Vigils to raise awareness and advocacy, to educate those impacted by Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders and joins with the national association to celebrate and embrace the MOVE to END ALZHEIMER'S

For a list of candlelight vigils, their location, dates and times - please click here

Attend a Support Group during November for more information on NADM and how you can support the MOVE!

For more information on NADM - please check out our national office information at www.alz.org - join us today!

For a complete list of the 2008 Events: events.