O.W.L.S. educational series on Alzheimer’s begins
The Beacon of HOPE’s O.W.L.S. (Older, Wiser, Laughing Seniors) began a three-part educational series on Alzheimer’s disease Tuesday, Oct. 6. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.
“This is an excellent program aimed at people who are caring for loved ones suffering from memory problems,” Caryle Regan said. “Emily Reese from Alzheimer’s Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter will be the presenter and she is excellent. In this first of three seminars attendees learned the symptoms of the disease, communication challenges and effective ways to provide personal care.”
Topics addressed in this series will include: basics of Alzheimer’s, daily coping strategies, effective communication strategies, responding to dementia related behaviors, legal and financial issues just to name a few. Reese also has extensive knowledge of the community resources which are available.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 5.4 million individuals in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s disease . Just over 450,000 individuals (nearly 10 percent) are in Florida. It is estimated that in the next 6 years (2020) there will be an additional 510,000 individuals living with AD.
There are three main stages of Alzheimer’s: mild, moderate and severe. In mild stage, those suffering from Alzheimer’s have some memory loss and small changes in their personality. In the middle stage of AD, loss and confusion become more obvious.
In severe AD, people need a great deal of help with their daily tasks such as walking.
“The first mission of Gulf Coast Chapter is to provide support for families,” Reese said. “Our second mission is to support research to end this disease.”
“Over the next three weeks we’re going to talk about the middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease,” Reese said. “I want people to have an understanding of the symptoms of middle stage disease. What is characteristic of middle stage is where the disease starts to progress to the point where the caregiver is providing more oversight, verbal cueing, more hands-on intervention. All three sessions are free and open to the public.
The program is being held at Pine Island United Methodist Church, 10370 Frankie Land, across from the Pine Island fire station, Tuesdays Oct. 13 and 20.
To RSVP for the remaining two sessions, contact the Beacon of H.O.P.E. at 283-5123.
The Alzheimer’s Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, serving Lee and Collier counties, is at 9220 Bonita Beach Road, Suite 223, in Bonita Springs. It’s helpline is 1-800-272-3900; Website: www.alzflgulf.org.