Families affected by Alzheimer’s disease face special challenges during the holidays – and the Alzheimer’s Association has resources to help. With some planning and adjusted expectations, celebrations can still be happy, memorable occasions.
“On our website – www.alz.org – we have tips that will help you familiarize others in the family with the situation, adjust expectations, involve the person with dementia and adapt gift giving,” said Sue Friedman, president & CEO of the Central and Western Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
“We also know that January is the month where we receive the most calls to our Helpline when adults go home and notice changes in their parents or grandparents and then have a lot of questions. Our helpline is answered 24hrs/day, 365 days a year,” said Annie Marrs, Family Services Director. “So it’s also good to also know the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s disease before heading home.”
“This holiday season we also have a very exciting 68K Match Campaign going on until Dec. 31. An anonymous donor has pledged to match up to $68,000 in donations to the chapter if we can raise that amount in December, said Friedman. “Every 68 seconds another American develops Alzheimer’s disease. We are all touched by this disease that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.”
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AFP
