Alzheimer’s Association

1. Alzheimer’s Association Our Vision is a World Without Alzheimer’s

2. A Growing disease • Today, over 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including an estimated 200,000 under the age of 65. By 2050, up to 16 million will have the disease. • Another American develops Alzheimer’s disease every 68 seconds. In 2050, an American will develop the disease every 33 seconds.

3. Beyond the Disease: Alzheimer’s Affects Loved Ones • Nearly 15 percent of caregivers are long-distance caregivers, living an hour or more away from their loved ones. Out-of-pocket caregiving costs are nearly twice as high for long-distance caregivers compared with local caregivers. • More than 60 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers rate the emotional stress of caregiving as high or very high; more than one-third report symptoms of depression.

4. In the end, it all Adds Up • In 2013, the direct costs of caring for those with Alzheimer’s to American society will total an estimated $203 billion, including $142 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid.

5. It’s time to Start changing • In 2013, an estimated 450,000 people in the United States will die with Alzheimer’s, meaning they will die after developing the disease. • One in every three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.

6. CompareD to others • Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death. (2011) 1) Heart disease: 597,689 2) Cancer: 574,743 3) Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 138,080 4) Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 129,476 5) Accidents (unintentional injuries): 120,859 6) Alzheimer's disease: 83,494 7) Diabetes: 69,071 8) Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 50,476 9) Influenza and Pneumonia: 50,097 10) Intentional self-harm (suicide): 38,364

7. Where you come into the picture • About 2.3 million people in the United States are caregivers for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia who lives at least one hour away. • Thus, support programs tailored to the needs of long-distance caregivers are needed to address the particular challenges they encounter.

8. summer caregiver education series • Howard Gruetzner, M.Ed, LPC, will be leading seminars to help caregivers meet their loved one’s needs. May 28: Learning How to Prevent Problems and Manage Behavior in Dementia Care June 25: Learning to Understand Research and Identify July 23: For Caregivers: Developing Plans to Take care of Your Future Now August 24: The Experience of Grief: Person with Dementia and Caregivers September 24: Coping Tools

9. Monthly Support Groups • In addition, we offer monthly support groups that cover a variety of topics: • Topic Schedule (2013) Topics • May-June Helping Children/Teens Understand Dementia • July August What You Need to Know About Legal Issues • September-October Coping with Daily Caregiving • November-December Safety Concerns: Wandering • Groups • Howard Gruetzner 1525 Columbus Ave, Columbus Avenue Church • 254-753-7722 1st Thursday at 10:00 AM • Howard Gruetzner 7129 Delhi Road, Crestview Church of Christ • 254-753-7722 2nd Monday at 10:00 AM • Ashley Smith 2201 MacArthur, Hillcrest Senior Care Group • 254-202-6501 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 10:30 AM • Eva Bull 1700 Woodgate Dr., Wesley Woods • 254-666-5454 3rd Thursday at 5:30 PM

10. Together, we can end this • While finding a cure for this terrible disease is over the horizon, research efforts are aimed at finding ways to prevent and slow down the disease. • With your help, the Alzheimer’s Association can come one step closer to ending it.