Memory Care in Lincoln, NE

With the significant increase in those affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, it’s become a major area of focus for healthcare providers, and specifically those specializing in services for our senior population and their caregivers.

According to information sourced from the Alzheimer’s Association, which can be found online at www.alz.org along with much more on the subject, here are some current statistics and important details that are cause for great concern:

Quick Facts

• Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. This is more than deaths from breast and prostate cancer combined.
• More than 5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s.
• 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia present.
• In 2015, more than 15 million caregivers provided an estimated 18.1 billion hours of unpaid care.
• Every 66 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s. By the mid-century mark, that number will be cut in half, with someone in the U.S. projected to develop the disease every 33 seconds.
• In 2016, Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the nation $236 billion.

Prevalence

The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is growing — and growing fast. An estimated 5.4 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s disease in 2016.

Of the 5.4 million Americans with Alzheimer’s, an estimated 5.2 million people are age 65 and older, and approximately 200,000 individuals are under age 65 (younger-onset Alzheimer’s). In fact, one in nine people age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s disease.

These numbers will escalate rapidly in coming years, as the baby boom generation has begun to reach age 65 and beyond, the age range of greatest risk of Alzheimer’s. By 2050, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease may nearly triple, from 5.2 million to a projected 13.8 million, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent or cure the disease. Previous estimates based on high range projections of population growth provided by the U.S. Census suggest that this number may be as high as 16 million.

Mortality

Among people age 70, 61 percent of those with Alzheimer’s are expected to die before the age of 80 compared with 30 percent of people without Alzheimer’s — a rate twice as high.

As the population of the United States ages, Alzheimer’s is becoming a more common cause of death. Although deaths from other major causes have decreased significantly in the last decade, deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have increased significantly — 71 percent. In 2013, over 84,000 Americans died from Alzheimer’s according to official death certificates; however, in 2016, an estimated 700,000 people with Alzheimer’s will die, and the disease likely will contribute to many of those deaths.

Alzheimer’s is the only disease among the top 10 causes of death in America that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.

Caregivers

In 2015, 15.9 million family and friends provided 18.1 billion hours of unpaid care to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. That care had an estimated economic value of $221.3 billion.

• Approximately two-thirds of caregivers are women, and 34 percent are age 65 or older.
• 41 percent of caregivers have a household income of $50,000 or less.
• On average, care contributors lose over $15,000 in annual income as a result of reducing or quitting work to meet the demands of caregiving.

Alzheimer’s takes a devastating toll on caregivers. Nearly 60 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers rate the emotional stress of caregiving as high or very high; about 40 percent suffer from depression. One in five care contributors cut back on their own doctor visits because of their care responsibilities. And, among caregivers, 74 percent report they are “somewhat” to “very” concerned about maintaining their own health since becoming a caregiver.

Cost to Nation

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the costliest chronic diseases to society, and a growing crisis that is helping to bankrupt Medicare.

• In 2016, total payments for health care, long-term care and hospice are estimated to be $236 billion for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, with just under half of the costs borne by Medicare.
• Medicare and Medicaid are expected to cover $160 billion, or 68 percent, of the total health care and long-term care payments for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
• Nearly one in every five Medicare dollars is spent on people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In 2050, it will be one in every three dollars.

Unless something is done, in 2050, Alzheimer’s is projected to cost more than $1 trillion (in 2016 dollars). Costs to Medicare will increase 360 percent. This dramatic rise includes a nearly five-fold increase in government spending under Medicare and Medicaid and a nearly five-fold increase in out-of-pocket spending.

Financial Impact on Families

Alzheimer’s takes a devastating toll – not just on those with the disease, but on entire families. How much of their own money do families spend to provide for the needs of the person with Alzheimer’s? In total, family caregivers spend more than $5,000 a year on average caring for someone with Alzheimer’s.

Are families prepared to handle the financial impact of Alzheimer’s disease? Because studies on this important topic are scarce, the Alzheimer’s Association commissioned a nationwide scientific survey of more than 3,500 Americans who were asked these questions and more. Alarmingly, the survey revealed that many care contributors had to cut back on basic necessities — such as food and medical care — for themselves and their families. They are 28 percent more likely than other adults to eat less or go hungry because they cannot afford to pay for food. At the same time, many survey respondents had misconceptions about what expenses Medicare and Medicaid cover, leaving them unprepared to handle the tremendous costs associated with the disease. Taken together, the results of the survey point to the significant financial burden placed on families because their friend or family member with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia can no longer afford to take care of themselves.

In light of this, planning ahead by getting financial and legal plans in place is of the utmost importance.

Local Resources

Right here in Lincoln and the surrounding areas, we are fortunate to have access to a wealth of resources dedicated to assisting those needing memory care and support as well as their families and caregivers.

For those impacted by dementia and Alzheimer’s, whether it’s you or a loved one, it’s important not to go it alone. In making the connection with professionals who can help you through the journey ahead, you’ll become part of a team working towards the same goals.

“There are many options available in Lincoln for memory care and each has their own unique characteristics that make them different from the rest,” says Beth Friesen, RN, CCM, CSA, owner of Oasis Senior Advisors. “I think it’s so important for people to know that resources such as Oasis Senior Advisors are there to help them and that this service is FREE to them and their loved ones.

I am able to sit down with them and review medical, social, geographical and financial needs and that knowledge, coupled with 25 years of nursing experience as well as Oasis’ proprietary software can help narrow their search to the specific communities that meet all of those needs. This eliminates performing constant searches and touring communities that in the end may not even be feasible options. This places the focus, time and effort on the best options for their loved one and on making the transition for their loved one as easy as possible. My number one goal is to be an ‘Oasis’ when they are going through this stormy time in life.

Oasis Senior Advisors takes all of my experiences as a daughter of an Alzheimer’s patient and combines it with my two decades as a nurse in a way that is very effective in serving those with Alzheimer’s as well as the loved ones caring for them. The road is long, frightening and full of grief and constant change. I cherish the moments when I can come alongside a family member and walk with them through this journey. If my presence, knowledge and experiences can somehow bring a calm to their storm and make them feel that someone is willing to travel the road with them, then I could never ask for anything more. Sometimes what they need are community resources and I can connect them with those. Other times they need a listening ear from someone who has been through it and still other times I can help them select the memory care community that best fits their loved one’s needs. My job is to meet them where they are today and minister to them there. I count it an immense privilege.”

Speaking directly to caregivers, Friesen further advises, “The percentage of caregivers that end up dying before the Alzheimer’s patient is staggering. And that is not even taking into account the physical injuries that occur and the psychological toll it takes on the individual to be a primary caregiver for someone with dementia. Asking for help does not mean you are failing in your role as a caregiver. Ask for and then accept help. Read books about the role of caregiving, join a support group, watch videos about Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving by experts such as Teepa Snow. And maybe most importantly, realize that you are not alone. Caregiving can leave you feeling very isolated. You will take better care of your loved one if you also take care of you.

Also, I would encourage all families to have the discussion long before it is needed as to how they would wish to be cared for and for how long they would want to remain at home. Have power of attorney documents in place; both medical and financial long before it is needed. Make sure your loved ones and power of attorney(s) knows who to call and how to access important information. Have a discussion with a trusted financial advisor about long-term care insurance. In short, plan with the hope you will never need it. But please don’t fail to plan.

My services are absolutely FREE and I would love to have a conversation with anyone going through this journey. Whether you need a memory care community for your loved one or just a listening ear, I’m here to help.”

“With a host of services to offer that are always free of charge, we help take a big burden off of the family as they don’t have to spend time calling around to different communities to find out who has open rooms, figure out costs, and assess which one is the safest,” adds Theron Ahlman, Senior Care Consultant and owner of the local CarePatrol franchise. “We assist those affected by Alzheimer’s or dementia by helping their families find the best and safest memory care community, along with connecting them to other valuable resources. We always review care and violation history; most families wouldn’t know where to find that information. We also line up tours, and then personally take our clients on the tour and walk them through the process to make everything easy as it possibly can be.

Based on my extensive experience working with others in the industry, I can say with confidence that here in Lincoln we have some excellent communities that truly care about their residents and go out of their way to care for them. There are different ideas/theories on what’s offered to residents at the different memory care communities, and that is why I feel using a senior care consultant is so valuable. It’s hard for families to figure out those differences with one tour.”

With respect to caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s or dementia, he too notes, “Taking advantage of respite care or day care is undeniably valuable–time off is needed to avoid caregiver stress.  There are studies that show 70% of caregivers over 70 die before those they are taking care of, and to me that statistic alone just goes to show why it is so important to have some time for yourself.  Caregiving can trigger a host of difficult emotions, including anger, fear, resentment, guilt, helplessness, and grief. In order to deal with your feelings, it’s important to talk about them, whether it’s confiding in one person you trust or attending a support group.”

“All too often, family members wait until they are in a crisis situation or worn down before they decide to ask for help,” cautions Michaela Williams, President of Care Consultants for the Aging. “Researching what options are available for those with memory needs can make these decisions much more manageable when that time comes. Figuring out what the government offers, insurances that can be used, and getting legal documents in place will only help when you need to make decisions for someone. It is realistic to need more than one type of service as you go through a caregiving journey. Knowing what financial resources are available will help in finding reasonable care options.

Although they may be difficult subjects to broach, as previously noted, it is also important to discuss caregiving and end of life decisions with your loved one before they lose their mental capabilities. Questions to ask may include: If they lose their memory capabilities, would they prefer to move into a facility that specializes in memory care or would they prefer to remain at home where they are more comfortable?  What are their thoughts on end of life decisions?”

Specifically regarding caregivers, she further advises, “It is difficult to understand the importance of taking time for yourself when you are so focused on caring for someone else.  It is far too common for the caregiver to get ill because they do not take time for themselves.  This is true not just for the physical demands of caregiving but also for the mental demands. Home care is a great way to line up breaks as you need them.  It can be flexible and be used as often as you need.  Caregivers can help with things such as medical cares, personal cares, companionship, meals and light housekeeping.

Since 1991, Care Consultants has helped thousands of seniors live independently. Our home care registry screens and refers caregivers for families to hire. Caregivers can help with medical and non-medical cares and can work from one to twenty four hours a day.  As many of our clients are affected by dementia or Alzheimer’s, our caregivers have extensive experience working with those with memory issues while providing assistance to help them to maintain their independence.

Caregiving for a loved one with memory problems can be a long journey.  Many find themselves trying a variety of different services to manage both their physical and their mental healthcare needs.  It is important to realize that even if you do not need a physical break as a caregiver, respite is still important to your well-being.  Care Consultants’ ElderCare Resource Handbook is available in print and can be viewed online at www.careconsultants.com.  It provides a complete listing of services available for seniors in the metro area and as such, presents an excellent selection of options for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s.”

“This is an industry filled with people who are here to help,” says Christy Merritt, Executive Director of The Waterford Communities. “I think you could call any administrator, director, or care staff at a memory care community here in Lincoln and they would be happy to help get you the resources you need to navigate your way through this difficult journey.

One of our communities, The Waterford at Wilderness Hills, is a memory care endorsed community. It is designed specifically for residents who suffer from types of dementia including Alzheimer’s. Our team receives continual training on how to create safe and loving environment in which our residents can thrive.

Also, many memory care communities, churches and assisted living communities host support groups for families. As a caregiver you can become weary and sometimes overwhelmed. Everyone needs a break, even from those they hold most dear. It is okay to take a moment to breathe, to recharge. That is what respite stays and support services are for.

When finding a memory care facility becomes necessary, to find the right fit, understand who they are at the core. What do they truly like–places, things, people? When the memory fades, the person inside still remains. It is helpful for us as caregivers to have pieces to help us connect with our residents. The more you know and understand about who your loved one is as a person–not just as a spouse, grandmother, father etc.–the more information you can give their caregivers to allow them to enter into your loved one’s world and create an environment in which they can be happy and thrive.”

In agreement, Michelle Carlson, Activity Director at The Arbors, one of the Legacy Retirement Communities, adds, “Even if you suspect memory loss or it becomes apparent, you’ll want to make sure your loved one has a confirmed diagnosis to eliminate the possibility of anything else that might have an impact on their health.

Lincoln has a wide variety of options for memory care, we really recommend that you get out and be proactive, take tours and ask questions. You need to make sure that you are informed and understand what the facility is offering your loved one. Understanding the costs, payment details, and funds that are available is a critical part of managing finances, so that’s an important part of the discussion too. Our local Alzheimer’s Association chapter is available to answer questions and provide resources that are available in our community. The situation you’ll want to avoid if at all possible is experiencing a crisis with your loved one and then trying to find a facility while under pressure.

The process of finding a facility can be very difficult, but the important thing is your loved one is moving to an environment that is set up for them. The Arbors designed for someone with memory loss. There are scheduled activities all day, seven days a week. We offer entertainment, outings and a variety of activities designed to meet the needs of our residents. We are a family at The Legacy Arbors, and encourage loved ones to visit and be involved as much as they like.

The Legacy Arbors has been offering quality dementia care for 10+ years. The design of our building and our staff training both provide for a high level of care and also family satisfaction. We offer the same amenities as our other Legacy communities, just for someone with dementia. Our staff is always available to help with questions or getting started on the process of finding memory care.”

“As others have mentioned, seeking guidance in order to better understand the vast and varied resources available to assist with dementia and Alzheimer’s care is an excellent starting point,” Amy Fish, Executive Director of Lancaster Rehabilitation Center, further emphasizes. “It is important to access the most appropriate services at the most appropriate time, while anticipating future needs.  There are services designed for in-home care, assisted living services, and skilled care. There are also a plethora of resources available to answer questions or provide individualized information for the family members.

Seek support, and accept the support services available and/or offered.  On too many occasions we’ve needed to provide care to the caregiver as they find themselves exhausted from the 24-hour care they are attempting to provide.  The assistance that the team at Lancaster Rehabilitation Center provides allows for a spouse or adult children to continue to serve in a family member capacity and not as the primary caregiver.

The memory care neighborhood at Lancaster Rehabilitation is staffed with professional nurses who are specially trained in Alzheimer’s and related disorders 24 hours a day. Our memory care neighborhood is designed with cultural, recreational, educational and social activities specified to meet the individual needs of those we serve.  The team at Lancaster Rehabilitation Center will help your loved one stay engaged in body, mind and spirit.

Furthermore, the support and services provided at Lancaster Rehabilitation do not end with our residents; we are just as dedicated to helping loved ones stay healthy and involved in the caregiving experience. The Alzheimer’s Support Group at Lancaster Rehabilitation meets the second Tuesday of every month at 4:00 p.m. Community and family members are welcome to join us anytime to learn more about the disease process, or to just take a break and enjoy the company of others.

Stop by to tour Lancaster Rehabilitation whenever you wish.  We’re anxious to show off all that’s new on our campus!”

She adds, “It’s important for everyone to look ahead and plan for the future.  Family members should be made aware of your directives as it relates to health care, so that if or when the time comes that decisions must be made on your behalf, they honor your wishes.  Formal documents such as a Living Will or Advanced Directives help family members and health care providers care for you as you desire.”

Specifically regarding these types of arrangements, Jodi Freeman of Roper & Sons Funeral Home further advises, “Planning early and maintaining your estate plan and/or will, financial affairs, healthcare wishes, and end of life plans are essential.  As we age and our lives change, so do our priorities.  Plans made in prior years may change for a number of reasons, therefore keeping them up-to-date is key.  It is also essential to plan for these things when our mental capacity is strong, because once we begin to decline, both mentally and physically, proper planning can become a challenge. Besides being challenging, questions about mental or physical capacity can draw criticism and concerns about the validity of your plans, potentially leading to arguments and disregard of the plans, and even legal implications.

One mistake we commonly see at Roper & Sons is not planning for your end of life decisions, or assuming that your family is willing and able to take care of your final arrangements.  Life is unpredictable – we always tend to think ‘Oh, I have plenty of time,’ until one day, we don’t.  It is very difficult to think about our end of life decisions, without a doubt.  However, it is even more difficult for families in the midst of the greatest loss.  We strongly encourage everyone to make their final wishes known, through pre-planning at a funeral home.  Planning truly is one of the best ways you can give your loved ones the gift of peace of mind.”

Along the same lines, hospice is a wonderful service to take advantage of when the time comes.

“Despite its benefits, hospice is underutilized for advanced dementia patients,” says Deb Maguire, LPN, CDP, CADDCT, HoriSun Hospice Medical Records Coordinator. “Hospice has been shown to help dementia patients and their families. Dementia patients who died with hospice versus those who died without hospice have better pain control, are less likely to die in a hospital, and their families have greater satisfaction with end-of-life care. Hospice serves those in the end stages of dementia, relieving pain, controlling symptoms, improving quality of life and reducing anxiety and worry for patients and their families. Your hospice team evaluates the dementia or Alzheimer’s patient’s status and updates the plan of care as symptoms and condition change, even on a day-to-day basis. Hospice offers comprehensive services for patients like individualized plans of care, care for patients wherever they live, coordinated care at every level, and emotional and spiritual assistance. Most people are unaware of the many other benefits of hospice like comfort, personal attention, reduced hospitalizations and security that comes from knowing your loved one has medical support whenever they need it.”

For family members, friends, and loved ones of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, Maguire offers helpful insight based on her specialized training and experience with dementia patients. “Many people with dementia will still enjoy their hobbies or interests. For example, if they like cooking, they may be able to help make a meal. Going for a walk or gardening is a simple way to get some exercise and a sense of achievement. Or they may prefer listening to music or playing a board game. Caring for a pet cat or dog can bring a lot of pleasure to some people. If the person you care for was very sociable and outgoing, or if they have a large family, they may really enjoy visits from one or two family members or friends. However, they may struggle to keep up with conversations if they have a lot of visitors at the same time. Make a memory book. Put pictures in this memory book of family, but these will need to be of when your loved one’s kids were around the age of 3 to 12 years of age because that is how they see them…not at the age they are now. Also, remember that we must go wherever the person with dementia is because this is their reality. You cannot force them to come into your reality. For example, if they are crying because they are going to be late to school a proper response could be, ‘You know there isn’t anything to worry about because there is no school today because it’s a teacher holiday.’ This will allow them to calm down and get done what needs to be done without causing any unnecessary behaviors.

We are so blessed to live in a city as big as Lincoln is because it is full of resources. Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia can be a long, stressful, and intensely emotional journey. But you’re not alone. Remember to ask for help, join a support group, learn how to manage your stress, use all available resources in the community, and take care of ‘you.’ Use respite services as you can, allowing yourself a break. Sometimes the Alzheimer’s Association has funds that can help with this expense or they can guide you to places that can help. Taking these breaks allows you time to recharge so you can be the successful caregiver you need to be without causing undue stress on you or your loved one.”

She also touches on what’s cause for concern versus normal signs of aging. “We’ve all misplaced keys, blanked on an acquaintance’s name, or forgotten a phone number. When we’re young, we don’t tend to pay much mind to these lapses, but as we grow older, sometimes we worry about what they mean. While it’s true that certain brain changes are inevitable when it comes to aging, major memory problems are not one of them. That’s why it’s important to know the difference between normal age-related forgetfulness and the symptoms that may indicate a developing cognitive problem. Forgetfulness is a common complaint among older adults. You start to talk about a movie you saw recently when you realize you can’t remember the title. You’re giving directions to your house when you suddenly blank on a familiar street name. You find yourself standing in the middle of the kitchen wondering what you went in there for. Memory lapses can be frustrating, but most of the time they aren’t cause for concern. Age-related memory changes are not the same thing as dementia. As we grow older, we experience physiological changes that can cause glitches in brain functions we’ve always taken for granted. It takes longer to learn and recall information. We’re not as quick as we used to be. In fact, we often mistake this slowing of our mental processes for true memory loss. But in most cases, if we give ourselves time, the information will come to mind. The brain is capable of producing new brain cells at any age, so significant memory loss is not an inevitable result of aging. But just as it is with muscle strength, you have to use it or lose it. Your lifestyle, health habits, and daily activities have a huge impact on the health of your brain. Some suggestions to slow memory loss are stay social, exercise regularly, don’t smoke, manage stress, get routine regular sleep, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, drink green tea, and eat foods rich in omega 3 fats. Also important is to exercise your brain—do word games and puzzles, Sudoku, read, walk, and learn new things.”

While working on a cure is ongoing, prevention isn’t a topic that we consider much with respect to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease because there is still much to learn and groundbreaking discoveries to be made. However, what we do know gives us some good indicators of things we can pay attention to now that may have a big impact later on down the road.

However, certain local resources, such as Nebraska Hearing Center, are in fact in the business of prevention. There are several studies that suggest that seniors with hearing loss are more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing. The findings from John Hopkins and the National Institute on Aging suggest this could lead to new ways to combat dementia. Researchers suggest that the strain of decoding sounds over the years may overwhelm the brains of people with hearing loss, leaving them more vulnerable to dementia. They also speculate that hearing loss could lead to dementia by making individuals more socially isolated, a known risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer’s.

“Hearing loss is a slow process and often ignored,” says Leslie Frank MS, CCC-A, owner of Nebraska Hearing Center. “It is important to have your hearing tested annually, like any other checkup.”

One small study investigated hearing aid use and cognition in elderly adults. A group of 12 adults was divided into three subgroups: normal hearing, hearing loss without use of hearing aids, and hearing loss with use of hearing aids. The group who had hearing loss without hearing aid use showed the lowest scores on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale-Revised, while there were no differences in the normal hearing and hearing loss with hearing aid use groups. There is increasing evidence of a link between untreated hearing loss and dementia. Whatever the cause, the scientists report their finding may offer a starting point for interventions – even as simple as hearing aids – that could delay or prevent dementia by improving patients’ hearing.

Overall, the ability to communicate with the help of hearing aids can help enhance quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. “We are lucky to live in such an exciting time where technology is constantly improving,” says Leslie. “Hearing devices today are not your Grandma’s hearing aids. They are small, and the clarity is amazing. We have devices that sync to your cell phone where you can stream music and phone calls right to the aids. No one needs to know you have hearing devices unless you tell them.”

Above all, no matter the specifics, being proactive is key. If you’re at the point where you are just starting to notice signs that indicate a loved one is having issues related to memory, the time to act is now, even if just to check out resources or ask questions. While a move to a memory care facility may not be the answer right away, there are other resources such as in-home care that can make a big difference in the wellbeing of your loved one. “Elders impacted by memory loss, dementia or other cognitive deficits often do not realize how impaired they are,” explains Kris Beckenbach, Director of Guardian Angels. “By providing in-home assistance Guardian Angels, and other agencies who offer similar care, bring numerous benefits to clients. Regular meals, socialization, better compliance with medication, and the ability to remain in their familiar surroundings are just some of the ways that elders benefit. Moreover, the family will benefit from knowing that a trusted caregiver will interact with their loved one on a regular basis and can let family know if changes are noted. As previously mentioned, respite is also critical for family members who act as caregivers. In-home care, even a short period, allows them to do something as normal as grocery shopping without worrying about their family member, which can be a true blessing.

Guardian Angels was founded on the principle that all people have a sacred dignity that time does not take away. We take this principle very seriously. Our caregivers are trained early and reminded often that when in a client’s home, they are there to serve. Our staff includes a Certified Senior Advisor and Certified Dementia Practitioner. We are committed to providing quality care for all of our clients.”

She concludes, “Don’t let a medical crisis, like a fall, force a difficult family discussion. As uncomfortable as it may be go ahead and start the dialogue. Talk with a home care company about how they screen their caregivers, what services are provided, and if there are minimum service requirements. The range of answers can vary greatly. Take advantage of tours and open houses at senior living communities too. These are not the nursing homes elders remember visiting when they were children. Gone are the dark hallways with cold tile floors where elders were not always treated with respect. Today’s elder communities are vibrant with decor and engaging activities.

The extension of longevity is also fairly new to this generation. Elders who are just now recognizing the need to plan for their future do not have an example to follow from their parents’ experience. There are more resources than ever to meet the needs of those facing the challenges of cognitive deficits. This holiday season, while family is gathered together making memories, taking pictures, and reminiscing about the good times, also make time to listen to your elder loved ones’ desires for their future.”

To end on a positive note, there are so many worldwide working tirelessly towards a common goal, a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and all types of dementias. While those efforts continue, it is comforting to know that we are in good hands with our local resources as far as care and support is concerned. We encourage getting in touch with these professionals sooner rather than later if possible, and you can always reach the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at (800) 272-3900.