An estimated 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease today, and that number is set to increase in the near future. In response to this growing health epidemic, we’ve written this article as an opportunity to learn about the disease and its impact on the lives of people in your community and learn how you can help.
What is Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease. It’s the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of all dementia cases. Dementia is a term that refers to a group of diseases that are associated with declines in memory, thinking, and cognitive skills. Worldwide, 50 million people worldwide live with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, and research is ongoing for effective medical treatments. Although current treatments are unable to stop Alzheimer’s from progressing, they can slow down the symptoms of dementia temporarily and improve quality of life.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually develop slowly as the Alzheimer’s disease progresses. Early symptoms may include:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks
- Misplacing things
- Confusion
- Mood and personality changes
As Alzheimer’s progresses and spreads to more areas of the brain, symptoms become more severe. Communication becomes difficult as memory and cognition skills continue to worsen, and ultimately the individual will require round-the-clock care and assistance.
Causes and risk factors
While research is ongoing, it is currently believed that there is no single cause of Alzheimer’s. Instead, the disease develops from multiple risk factors such as:
- Age
- Family history
- Genetics
- History of head injuries
- History of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
While some risk factors cannot be controlled, others like high blood pressure and high cholesterol can. Eating healthy and staying active both physically and cognitively can reduce some of the individual risk factors of Alzheimer’s.
Make an impact
According to the CDC, the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease is projected to nearly triple to 14 million people by 2060. With so many millions affected, each one of us has the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of Alzheimer’s patients and their families through generous giving and community programs.
Based on research from the Alzheimer’s Association, Arizona is a state uniquely impacted by growing rates of Alzheimer’s. Recent data shows that 140,000 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease in Arizona, with approximately 330,000 family caregivers responsible for the care and wellbeing of their affected loved ones. The number of Arizonans with Alzheimer’s is expected to grow by nearly 43 percent in the next seven years—the highest growth rate in the country.
The high growth rate of Alzheimer’s in Arizona shows that local community support is imperative in helping individuals with Alzheimer’s and their families improve their quality of life and lessen the stressors they face every day. In response to this, the City of Surprise became a member of the Dementia Friendly America network of communities and cities that work to provide programs and resources to educate about cognitive disorders, and provide support for those affected. In partnership with Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, Benevilla, Sun Health Wellness and the Alzheimer’s Association, the City of Surprise hosts a regularly scheduled Memory Café, which acts as a social space and supportive resources for those living with memory loss and their care givers.
One way you can make a lasting impact on those in your community with Alzheimer’s and their families is to support the Community Health and Wellness initiative in Sun Health Foundation’s Generosity for Generations Campaign.
Community health and wellness initiative
We’re seeking funding to continue our support of community health and wellness programs offered through Sun Health Wellness. These include wellness services in the form of individual or class-based education, healthy living classes focusing on health education and fitness, and consultative services such as the Memory Care Navigator program. The Memory Care Navigator program, caregiver support groups and brain health classes are some of the wellness services offered to assist people with Alzheimer’s and their families specifically.
Memory Care Navigator
As a result of charitable donations to Sun Health Foundation, the Memory Care Navigator program is available at no cost to patients, family members and caregivers coping with the emotional, psychological and physical effects of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. With a Memory Care Navigator serving as their personal guide and advocate, families can:
- Receive a confidential consultation to assess the needs of their family member or loved one
- Develop a personalized plan of care that addresses and supports the unique health needs of the patient
- Turn to their navigator for guidance as new challenges arise through each stage of dementia
- Connect with support groups, educational resources and assistive services in the West Valley
- Learn about local clinical trials that may be available to discuss with their physicians
- Obtain referrals and references to health care professionals and services that can address the symptoms and other chronic conditions associated with dementia
- And more
Dementia caregiver support groups
Family members and friends that take on the role of caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer’s experience substantial emotional, physical and financial hardships. Burnout is common, as caregivers may struggle to balance caring for their loved one with responsibilities like working and raising a family. Caregiver support groups, such as the ones provided by Sun Health Wellness, are a valuable space for caregivers to decompress and connect with others who share their experiences.
Each group is led by a Memory Care Navigator and is open to all with no registration or cost. These support groups are one of the many wellness services funded by community support through Sun Health Foundation.
Memory care and brain health classes
Classes offered by Sun Health Wellness focus on several topics relevant to both people with Alzheimer’s or dementia and their family members and/or caregivers. These topics include a social Memory Café where people living with memory loss and their caregivers can connect with others and obtain educational resources, and classes surrounding topics such as maintaining relationships when a friend has dementia, how to spot the differences between normal aging and dementia, and more.
Support valuable community health and wellness programs
If you feel moved to make a donation to support superior health in your community, consider directing your donation to the Community Health and Wellness Initiative or one of the other high impact initiatives in the Generosity for Generations Campaign.
If you would like to make a donation, our skilled and compassionate Directors of Philanthropy are available to discuss your options. Contact us today to learn more about how you can make an impact on our community for generations to come.
