Alzheimer’s Disease in San Diego

An estimated 5.2 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease, a number that is expected to grow to 16 million by the year 2050. Specifically, as the “Baby Boomers” age, the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease will proliferate.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent form of dementia in those 65 years of age and older. In fact, one in 10 people over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s disease, and nearly 50 percent of those aged 85 years old and older are afflicted. In San Diego and Imperial counties, approximately 50,000 are affected by this disease and other forms of dementia. Between the years 2008 and 2015, this number will increase by 10 percent. Notably, as the Baby Boomers age, this number will grow by 70 percent between the years 2015 and 2030. Alzheimer’s disease is the fourth-leading cause of death among San Diegans.

While making an accurate diagnosis has become increasingly straightforward, helping newly diagnosed individuals and their families immediately after the diagnosis is a challenge. As such, the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is available to help. The association offers the following services:

Helpline: This program is a specialized phone support program offered to diagnosed individuals, care partners, and professionals (24-hours a day, seven days a week). This program is staffed by two full-time information and referral coordinators; calls are answered at the office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. After hours, calls are sent to the national office. The goal of Helpline is to provide information on chapter and community resources and education on Alzheimer’s disease. Callers may be subsequently referred to the Care Consultation program. The 24-hour Helpline can be reached at (800) 272-3900.

Care Consultation: A family consultant meets with the family (in office or at home) to discuss their situation in depth, to work with them to prioritize needs, and to problem-solve. The family consultant also informs the family of other chapter programs and community resources and develops a jointly agreed upon care plan. The care plan is then written up and sent to the family. The family consultant follows up two to three weeks following the initial meeting, maintains phone contact as required, and is available for ongoing support. If more direct assistance is necessary, the consultant will refer to outside care management agencies and/or placement services. To speak with a care consultant, call the Alzheimer’s Association at (858) 492-4400.

Support Groups: The Association offers over 30 groups throughout the county. Groups are tailored for adult children, spouses, men, women, diagnosed individuals, and Spanish-speaking individuals and caregivers. These groups meet on a regular basis to discuss ongoing issues in a confidential and supportive environment. A complete schedule can be found at the Alzheimer’s Association website at www.sanalz.org.

Community Education: Ongoing educational workshops are offered for diagnosed individuals and their caregivers throughout the community. These classes are usually two hours in length. Below are descriptions of these courses, with further information, including dates and times, available at www.sanalz.org:

• Understanding Alzheimer’s — Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 360,000 people in our community, those diagnosed as well as their family, friends, and caregivers. This informational session explains what we know about the disease, the warning signs and symptoms, and how the Alzheimer’s Association can help with programs and services.
• Family Orientation — Family Orientation is designed for care partners and family members who are new to the disease. This interactive orientation provides an overview of memory loss and dementia, as well as an opportunity to meet others and to start getting connected with the Alzheimer’s Association. All attendees will receive a free copy of Coach Broyles Caregiver Playbook.
• Living a Brain-healthy Lifestyle — After attending this informative and engaging workshop, participants will be able to identify specific brain-healthy foods, to understand how physical exercise can improve brain health, to learn mentally challenging activities and how they strengthen brain cells, and to recognize the importance of social activities in stimulating mind and body.
• Memory Matters — Memory is a concern for seniors and people of all ages. Although memory problems and loss of mental acuity can often occur in the aging process, a few lifestyle changes can greatly improve memory function. After attending this workshop, participants will be able to identify types of memory, recognize mental changes common with normal aging, learn several memory exercises, and understand strategies for improving memory.
• Addressing Behavior Through Compassionate Communication — Upon completion of this program, attendees will be able to articulate tips to improve their overall communication skills with memory-impaired individuals. They will also be able to identify communication techniques that can play a key role in coping with specific, challenging behaviors such as wandering, shadowing, and agitation.
• Early Memory Loss: Tools for Successful Living — During this workshop, participants will learn about early memory loss and identify ways to enhance daily living by utilizing community resources, maintaining social and family relationships, identifying stress management exercises, eating healthy, and applying new medical research and treatment trends.
• Making the Placement Decision — After attending this workshop, participants will be able to identify some of the emotional issues involved in placement, distinguish among various options for assistance along a continuum of care, articulate questions to ask when searching for a facility, and recognize methods to assist in easing the transition to placement.

Professional Education: The Alzheimer’s Association San Diego/Imperial Chapter has a new program available for direct-care staff that includes up-to-date information to empower them to provide the best care possible for residents in long-term care. The training, titled Foundations of Dementia Care, includes recommendations for effective dementia care, which are based on person-centered care (care tailored to the abilities and changing needs of each resident). The Alzheimer’s Association has chosen eight priority care areas where intervention can make a significant difference in an individual’s quality of life. The dementia care recommendations define goals for each care area and present strategies for achieving them. The eight areas include:

1. Understanding Dementia
2. Making Connections
3. Reducing Pain
4. Enhancing Mealtimes
5. Preventing Falls
6. Understanding Wandering
7. Encouraging Restraint-free Care
8. Providing End-of-life Care

Each topic includes important practice time to instill strategies for success. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for all certified nursing staff, LVNs, RNs, LCSWs, MFTs, and RCFE administrators.

Safe Return/Medic-Alert: When a person with dementia wanders or becomes lost, one call immediately activates a community support network to help reunite the lost person with his or her caregiver. Both the caregiver and the individual with dementia wear a bracelet or necklace with identifying information inscribed. When a person is found, a citizen or law official calls the toll-free, 24-hour emergency response number on the identification product and the individual’s family or caregivers are contacted. The nearest Alzheimer’s Association office provides support during search and rescue efforts. In addition, should medical attention be required, access to a personal health record is immediately available. New enrollment costs $49.95, and the annual renewal fee is $25. To enroll in the program families, can call: 1 (888) 572-8566. To report an incident, the number to call is: 1 (800) 572-1122.

Half-day Programs: The association offers yearly, half-day intensive programs focusing on a specific topic. Prior topics include: coping with early memory loss; communicating with the person with Alzheimer’s disease; and legal and financial planning. The upcoming half-day intensive is titled: Make Your Voice Heard: Early Stage Town Hall Meeting. This program is the first ever local, open forum for people with early memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, and other dementias. The program will be held on February 21, 2009, at the University of San Diego. More information can be obtained by calling the Alzheimer’s Association at (858) 492-4400 or by accessing the association’s website at www.sanalz.org.

Summary: Every 71 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease. In San Diego and Imperial counties, approximately 50,000 people have the disease. As the first wave of Baby Boomers turn 65, this number will grow dramatically. As such, the need for supportive services provided by the Alzheimer’s Association will increase considerably. As physicians, you are in a unique position to refer families to these free programs.

Alzheimer’s Disease Resources:

• Alzheimer’s Association Website: www.sanalz.org
• Alzheimer’s Association 24-hour Helpline: 1 (800) 272-3900
• Alzheimer’s Association Main Office: (858) 492-4400
• Physician Guidelines Website: http://alz.org/san/in_my_community_professionals.asp