Santa Maria, CA – In the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease, families face new questions as they adjust. What does the diagnosis mean? What kinds of plans need to be made? What resources are available to help? Join us for this 3-part series to hear practical answers to the questions that arise in the early stage. Hear from those directly affected and learn what you can do to cope with the changes that come with an early-stage diagnosis.
 
More than 15 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. In 2016, caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias provided an estimated 18.2 billion hours of unpaid assistance, a contribution to the nation valued at $230.1 billion. The care provided to people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is wide-ranging and, in some instances, all-encompassing. Caregivers for people with dementia tend to provide more extensive assistance and experience more difficulty than caregivers of individuals without dementia.
 
Approximately one quarter of dementia caregivers are “sandwich generation” caregivers, meaning they care not only for an aging parent, but also for children under age 18.
Moreover, new data shows that caregivers for Alzheimer’s and dementia may experience increased difficulties and detriments to their health than caregivers for individuals with certain other conditions.
 
To address these issues, the Alzheimer’s Association in partnership with the Santa Maria Recreation & Parks department will provide free 3-part educational workshop. Topics to be discussed include during the workshop are:
 

• March 17:  Part 2 - Approaches to Treatment, Health Care Team, Family and Friends
• April 21:  Part 3 - Care Planning, Financial and Legal Matters, Safety Issues and Driving