Conference to help Alzheimer’s caregivers

As the older population of the state and the nation continues to grow in numbers, the number of people that will suffer from dementia will continue to grow as well.  

 

On Tuesday, the Alzheimer’s Association will host a day-long dementia conference designed to help professionals and others caring for those suffering with Alzheimer’s.  The Association’s Vice President for Constituent Services Claire Day says it’s important, especially for family members caring for a loved one to make it a team effort.  “Team is the perfect word, because it really isn’t something you should do alone,” she says.

The day-long conference will feature a keynote address from Dr. Peter Rabins, co-author of The 36 Hour Day.  He will focus on the challenges for caregivers in the coming years.

Day says with more Americans living longer thanks to advances in medicine, the chances of older Americans suffering dementia are on the rise.  “It affects one in eight persons over the age of 65, and one in two over of the age of 85, and that’s where you talk about that prevalence growing,” Day says.  “Part of that is better diagnostic tools, we’re recognizing the signs and symptoms earlier, and so we’re getting better diagnostic systems in place.”  She says there are estimated to be 14,000 Delaware residents suffering with dementia, and more than five million nationwide.  

The conference will be held at Dover Downs from 8 AM to 4 PM on Tuesday.  There is some space still available, you can register online at the Alzheimer’s Association’s website, alz.org.