Award-Winning Alzheimer's Care Programs

Caring for seniors with memory loss presents a variety of challenges.  Alzheimer's disease, a progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, is one type of memory loss, named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer.  The German doctor's name was given to the disease after he described the changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of a an unusual mental iillness in 1906.  The abnormal clumps he found are called amyloid plaques and the tangled bundles of fibers are called neurofibrillary tangles.  Plaques and tangles formed in the brain as a result of this progressive form of memory loss.

Because of the unique challenges involved in caring for a senior with Alzheimer's disease, many health care and senior organizations have developed special care programs for these seniors.  As Alzheimer's disease progresses, the person suffering from the disease will often confuse people and places.  They may think that their son is their husband or think that they are still working at their former job, instead of spending the day in their home.  This can make caregiving extra challenging for family members and professional caregivers. 

The Family Caregiver Alliance adminsters awards to innovative programs created for Alzheimer's caregivers, awarding $20,000 to three programs each year.  Check out the winners - these programs may offer new ideas for you to use in your caregiving efforts.  And if you know of another innovative program, refer them to the application for the award this year. The deadline for applications for the Caregiving Legacy Awards is August 12, 2010.

Culture Bus Inside and Out, Northwestern Hospital, Chicago, IL:  monthly field trip provides hands-on creative arts activity at local museum, yoga and art studios.

Chesed Project at Taos Jewish Center, Taos, NM:  offers resources and referrals to caregivers and interactive art discussions and exercises to older adults with Alzheiemer's disease and related dementias, bridging diverse cultural community of Native American, Latino and Anglo seniors.

Labor Project for Working Families, Berkeley, CA:  advocates for state policies to support seniors and caregivers by partnering with the labor unions and community based organizations. 

Submit application to Caregiving Legacy Award (winners receive $20,000).

Find senior care programs in your area on Caregiverlist's 'by state' information pages and review nursing home ratings and pricing.