Free Alzheimer's training for families offered by Home Instead Senior Care

Home Instead Senior Care, the world’s leading provider of home care services for seniors, recently announced new survey results revealing that Americans fear developing Alzheimer’s disease more than any other major life-threatening disease, including cancer, stroke, heart disease and diabetes.

The Marist Institute for Public Opinion survey of more than 1,200 Americans was designed to gain perspective on the most pressing concerns associated with Alzheimer’s, including diagnosis and the difficulties of caring for a loved one with the disease.

“The survey confirmed what I frequently hear from family caregivers - people feel unprepared to care for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s,” said Robert Ware, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office serving New Castle County South, and Kent and Sussex counties. “The need for support and education for these families is critical.”

Additional survey highlights include the following facts:

• Nearly two-thirds of Americans  have had a personal experience with someone with Alzheimer’s and/or a serious memory loss problem.

• Sixty-one percent of Americans feel unprepared to care for a loved one diagnosed with the disease.

• If diagnosed with the disease, Americans most fear the inability to care for themselves and burdening others, followed by losing memory of life and loved ones.

• A plurality of Americans cite the illness as their most feared disease.

When asked if it would be harder to receive an Alzheimer’s diagnosis or care for someone with the disease, Americans are equally split down the middle, 50/50.

Home Instead Senior Care Offers a solution for Alzheimer’s caregivers.

In response to the realities and concerns associated with Alzheimer’s and in support of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the local Home Instead Senior Care office is offering free, in-person Alzheimer’s CARE: Changing Aging Through Research and Education training sessions to area family caregivers.

For a schedule of training programs, go to www.helpforalzheimersfamilies.com.

The Alzheimer’s CARE program is a first-of-its-kind Alzheimer’s training addressing current and future health needs by offering family members a fresh approach to Alzheimer’s care. The approach encourages mental engagement to help relatives remain safely at home and in familiar surroundings as long as possible, and family members learn to immerse themselves in the mind-sets of their loved ones to help manage various behavioral symptoms. Courses are available in person and online.

For more information about the Alzheimer’s CARE program or Home Instead Senior Care, call 302-697-6435.