Honoring Caregivers Around the Jersey Shore
November is a time to reflect on everything in our lives we are thankful for. As we approach Thanksgiving, many of us are looking forward to spending time with family over a holiday meal. Family members often play many different roles in our lives. For some, that role is caregiver.
This month marks National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness and Family Caregiver’s Month. Alzheimer’s disease affects many families in many ways. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. It is a horrible disease that attacks the brain. More than 5 million Americans are currently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. According to the association, the three biggest risk factors are older age, a family history of Alzheimer’s and heredity. Currently there is no cure for Alzheimer’s.
Caregivers play a vital role in the life of an Alzheimer’s patient. And throughout the month of November, they are honored across the country for the incredible job they do to care for loved ones. ShoreTV New Jersey wants to thank them for their tireless and selfless work. If you need help day or night, the Alzheimer’s Association runs a Caregivers Center Hotline. The number is 1-800-272-3900.
Here is the link to the Alzheimer’s Association office in New Jersey which serves our state with information and assistance: http://www.alz.org/nj/
Or you can connect with them at:
Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey
3 Eves Drive, Suite 310, Marlton, NJ 08053
For support groups in the Jersey Shore area, it is recommended to reach out to your local hospital. Here is an example of a Jersey Shore group that meets once a month:
Alzheimer’s Support/Family Resource Center
Meridian Fitness and Wellness
700 Route 9 South, West Creek
Held the first Monday of every month at 1 p.m.
For more information, call 1-800-DOCTORS.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder. Early symptoms include forgetting words or asking the same question over and over. If you think a loved one may show the symptoms, visit http://www.alz.org/index.asp for more information.
ShoreTV New Jersey Guest Blogger: Nilton Capela