Alzheimer's chapter offers educational workshops

In 2015, more than 5 million people were living with Alzheimer's Disease in the United States, but the number is expected to grow.

In fact, some people predict the number of Alzheimer's patients will reach 16 million by 2050, according to statistics provided by the local office of the Alzheimer's Association.

Alzheimer's is an expensive disease and the price will probably continue to rise. By 2050, the treatment cost may be over $1 trillion. That figure doesn't take into account the millions of family and other unpaid caregivers who work with patients.

Bentonville has one of three local chapters of the national Alzheimer's Association in the state that can help patients and their families.

Community Outreach Coordinator Shevawn Dillingham said the office organizes support groups and educational workshops in 15 counties with the help of trained volunteers. Workshops can help people tell the difference between typical aging and Alzheimer's.

At another workshop, people may learn how to lower the risk of Alzheimer's through a healthy lifestyle, she said.

A series of four educational workshops is planned for Nov. 2, 9, 16 and 30 at the Bentonville Public Library, Dillingham said. For more information about the workshops, call her at 479-273-5559.

The Alzheimer's Association mans a 24-hour hotline that can help both patients and caregivers by answering questions and offering emotional support.

People can call in with specific questions about symptoms or behaviors, Dillingham said, or they can call for more general support.

The hotline operates out of the Chicago office and can be reached by dialing 800-272-3900.

The disease affects more women then men, but it affects 11 percent of all senior citizens.

Not all Alzheimer's patients are told they have the disease. According to a press release last March issued by the association, only 45 percent of the people with Alzheimer's were told about the diagnosis.

This is a problem, the press release said, because without knowledge of their diagnosis, some patients don't have the chance to participate in decisions about their care and their legal issues.

They may not have the opportunity to fulfill lifelong plans.

The benefits of sharing a diagnosis include better access to medical care and support services, and sometimes, early treatment including participation in new drug trials, the press release states.

General News on 09/21/2016