Care for Caregivers

Becky Zaseck, CEO of REAL Services

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana is a unique, comprehensive, unbiased and vital resource for families and others caring for a loved with Alzheimer’s and related Dementia.  A full range of services are provided right here in Northern Indiana, including education, support, counseling, training, certification, and consultation.  Alzheimer and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana has a staff of  trained professionals whose sole mission is to support caregivers through the journey of Alzheimer’s disease.  They fully understand that while the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is life changing, it is a change that can be best met with understanding, knowledge and support

Most people with Alzheimer’s disease are age 65 or older. In 2017, an estimated 700,000 Americans age 65 or older will have Alzheimer’s disease when they die, and many of them will die because of the complications caused by Alzheimer’s. One in nine people age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s disease.  About one-third of people age 85 and older have Alzheimer’s disease.

When someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, it can be devastating to them and their loved-ones. Dementia typically lasts 8-10 years and sometimes longer. Caregiver distress and burden is a very real impact of the diagnosis, as it takes a toll financially, emotionally, physically, and enters all arenas of life.

Primary family caregivers of people with dementia report spending an average of 9 hours per day providing help to their relatives.  Measured by duration of care, Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers provide care on average 1-4 years more than caregivers caring for someone with an illness other than Alzheimer's disease. They are also more likely to be providing care for five years or longer.

Families and caregivers struggle as the patient becomes slower to engage and understand conversation and are less responsive.  Knowing as much as possible about the disease and care strategies help to prepare caregivers for the Alzheimer journey.

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To contact Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana:

http://www.alzni.org

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, Inc. 

And the Institute for Excellence in Memory Care
922 E Colfax Ave. 
South Bend, IN 46617

Phone: (574) 232-4121 
Toll-free Helpline: (888) 303-0180 
Fax: (574) 232-4235

Email: info@alzni.org

About 15.7 million adult family caregivers care for someone who has Alzheimer's disease or other dementia. [Alzheimer's Association. (2015). 2015 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures.]

The economic value of the care provided by unpaid caregivers of those with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias was $217.7 billion in 2014. [Alzheimer's Association. (2015). 2015 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures.]