download it here.
Highlights of our Summer 2008 newsletter:
- From the Executive Director
- Research Study about Distance Caregivers looking for participants
- University of North Texas Health Science Center looking for participants
- Fall 2008 Caregiver Seminar
- Special Support Groups starting in August
From the Executive Director
Earlier this summer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics announced that Alzheimer's disease has moved up on the list of the leading causes of death in the United States. Having surpassed diabetes, Alzheimer's disease is now ranked the sixth most frequent cause of death in our country. The CDC estimates that 72,914 Americans died of Alzheimer's disease in 2006. If we consider only the population over the age of 65, Alzheimer's disease is the fifth-leading cause of death.
Nationally, we estimate there are as many as 5.2 million Americans currently living with Alzheimer's disease. Age remains the greatest risk factor for developing Alzheimer's. Given our unprecedented aging population, the number of people in our country living with Alzheimer's disease is expected to grow rapidly over the next several decades. Unless more effective medical interventions are developed that halt or delay the disease's progression, there may be as many as 16 million people living with Alzheimer's disease by 2050.
The Alzheimer's Association has been fighting the battle against this terrible disease longer than any nationally organized group. Our dual mission is to advance research and to provide support and education for individuals, families, caregivers, professionals and all who seek our help. Part of the work of our mission is to advocate on behalf of those impacted by the disease, with a particular emphasis on seeking more federal support for research and services for those currently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers.
Our North Central Texas Chapter is pleased to raise funds for research, to advocate nationally and locally and to provide an array of programs and services throughout the 40 counties our chapter serves. In this newsletter, you will learn more about what our chapter is doing to help those confronted by Alzheimer's disease in North Central Texas. Learn more about our upcoming education programs, how to become an advocate, and our ongoing and new support groups. Call our chapter toll free at 1.800.272.3900 anytime, day or night, with your questions about the disease, caregiving issues or community resources. Or, click here to learn about our suite of online services, including message boards and Senior Housing Finder. Our annual report is available online, or you may contact me directly and have a copy mailed to you.
If it is within your means, please support our chapter by participating in any of our six upcoming Memory Walks®. This site will provide you with more information about our walks, how to register and how to make donations online. Help us MOVE our mission forward so that next time the CDC issues a statement about Alzheimer's disease the news will reflect progress. Contact any of our offices if we can be of service to you. Have a great summer and I will hope to see you at Memory Walk®.
Distance Caregiving Research Study
Are you an African American, Hispanic or American Indian caregiver for someone with dementia or memory loss who is living alone and lives one hour or more away from you? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a research study to better define the issues and concerns associated with this type of caregiving. If you provide assistance with finances, safety or general well-being, you are eligible to participate in this study. Participants will be asked to attend one or two small group meetings to help better define this type of caregiving. You will be compensated for your time and travel.
If you or someone else you know is in this situation and you wish to learn more about the study, contact Dr. Lazelle Benefield at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center at 405.271.1491 ext. 49117 or 1.877.271.4991 (toll-free).
University of North Texas Health Science Center Seeks Participants
Individuals age 50 to 88 years of age who have a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease are being sought to participate in the ICARA (Investigational Clinical Amyloid Research in Alzheimer's) study, an international research study on a new investigational treatment aimed at slowing the progression of the disease. Participants must have a family member or caregiver who is willing to be involved in the study. Throughout the 88-week study, participants may receive the investigational drug, study-related physical exams and laboratory services at no charge. All participants will be monitored by a medical team, including a nurse or study coordinator and a physician.
For more information, visit ICARA or call 1.888.818.MEMORY.
Fall Caregiver Seminar Planned
On Thursday, November 6, 2008, we will host a daylong caregiver seminar at Crestview Church of Christ in Waco. This session will be repeated on Friday, November 7 in Hurst at First United Methodist Church. We are pleased that Nancy Pearce, MS, LISW will be our featured speaker.
 Photo by Pat Rawlins |
Ms. Pearce is a medical social worker with over 20 years of experience working in long-term healthcare and hospice settings. She received an MS in Education in 1972 from Syracuse University and a Master's in Social Work from the University of Connecticut in 1988. |
In her practice, Ms. Pearce integrates her educational research foundations with understandings from both her work experience and studies in spiritual and religious wisdom traditions She specializes in working with persons who have dementia and teaches families, friends and professionals how to communicate and connect effectively with persons who have dementia.
For more information about Nancy Pearce, visit her website. Look for a registration brochure later this fall.
Special Support Groups starting in August
The Early Stage Support Group is a service that has been offered by our chapter in the Fort Worth area for nearly 15 years. This is a specialized support group for diagnosed individuals in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. These early stage individuals acknowledge their difficulties with memory and are interested and able to share their feelings and experiences with others in the group.
The most recent session of the Early Stage Support Group has been an exciting one. Participating in music therapy, creating memory collages and designing a recipe book are just a few of the activities that participants have engaged in with facilitators Gail Phills and Judith Pickering. While participants are meeting in their group, caregivers are engaged in small group discussions on topics such as understanding dementia, legal and financial planning and caregiver guidance facilitated by Valerie Kaye. Caregivers and participants also enjoy sessions together with guest speakers on specific topics which include Ask the Doc, Get Moving - Get Fit Exercises or Safe and Sound Safety Tips.
The Early Stage Support Group meets at the First United Methodist Church in downtown Fort Worth on the first and third Monday of each month. The next session of this support group will meet over a five-month period starting in August. All interested individuals are asked to visit with Gail Phills, caseworker, prior to the first meeting in order to ensure that the Early Stage Support Group is appropriate. Click here to learn more about the criteria for this group. Anyone interested in learning more should contact Gail Phills, or call 817.336.4949 in Fort Worth, or 1.800.272.3900 toll-free.
Also starting in August is our Telephone Support Group. The group seeks to assist and support family caregivers throughout our 40-county service area. Caregivers from both rural and urban areas are welcome to participate. There will be a total of ten 60-minute sessions, meeting twice a month via teleconferencing. The group will consist of 8 to 10 family caregivers and one facilitator. For more information, you may read the informational brochure here or contact Judy Budlong in our Arlington office at 817.460.7001 or 1.800.272.3900 toll-free. There is no cost to participate in this special group.
