This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

SENIOR HELPERS PRESENTING SENIOR GEMS PROGRAM TO HELP FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH ALZHEIMER'S AND OTHER DEMENTIAS

        New Alzheimer’s and Dementia Program Endorsed by Leading Organizations, to be
Presented Locally

    Senior Helpers will be presenting its new, revolutionary Senior Gems program taking
Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving and assistance to the next level. This November, Bob
Tucker, a qualifed dementia care provider (QDCP) and co-owner of the Northbrook-based Senior
Helpers office serving north and northwest Chicagoland, will be presenting three informative
Senior Gems educational programs.

     November 7th, at 3:30 p.m., at Sunrise of Gurnee, 500 Hunt Club Road in Gurnee.
     November 21st, at 6 p.m., at Radford Green (Sedgebrook), 800 Audubon Way in Lincolnshire.
     November 26th, at 3 p.m., at the Patty Turner Senior Center, 375 Elm Street in Deerfield.

     The United States is facing the following important challenges with Alzheimer’s.

        More than five million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and there is no cure.

       Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and growing
significantly.

      This disease is the second most feared disease in the world, behind cancer.
      The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years, starting at age 65.
     
     Although Alzheimer’s disease is not considered a normal part of aging, the risk of developing
this disease rises as a person ages. For each person with Alzheimer’s disease, and related
dementias, living at home or with a loved one, there can be as many as four individuals providing
their daily care. The Senior Gems program helps caregivers and family members provide better
care for those stricken, and improve the lives of everyone involved.

    “The Senior Gems Program is the first of its kind in the in-home care industry,” says
Tucker a Northbrook resident. “This is a step-by-step guide that teaches local caregivers and
families how to care for those affected through each stage of dementia. Our program improves
the lives of everyone facing these devastating diseases.”

    Caring for a parent, aunt or uncle or husband or wife creates health challenges for the
primary family caregiver as well. Reports indicate that 17 percent report their health has gotten
worse as a result of family caregiving, while 40 percent of family caregivers who work full time
report missing work on a regular basis due to the health needs of an elderly loved one.

    The Senior Gems program teaches family members what is happening to their loved one,
why they are acting the way they are, how to communicate better with them, the activities that
can help maximize their capabilities, reduce fear, aggression and confusion and ways to improve
the interactions with everyone involved. Program attendees will receive an award-winning DVD
produced by Senior Helpers featuring Teepa Snow, OT, a nationally known dementia care expert
who addresses common questions regarding their loved ones care. In addition, to help the family
members and the caregivers learn to better understand how to communicate with their loved one,
the program breaks down the states of dementia into six progressive stages. It is important for
caregivers to understand these six stages so that they know how best to help and respond to their
loved one’s needs.

    If you would like to learn more about the Senior Gems educational program, to arrange a
personal review of your family’s situation or to arrange a speaking engagement at your
organization, business or place of worship, please contact Bob Tucker at Senior Helpers, 847-
564-7500, rtucker@seniorhelpers.com.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?