March
19, 2016
Today, millions of Americans struggle to complete
daily tasks, to remember familiar routines and to recognize their friends and
loved ones. Currently, nearly 5.4 million Americans are suffering from some
sort of Dementia, and that number is on the rise at an alarming rate. By 2050
the Alzheimer’s Association reports that this disease is
projected to grow by nearly 20% and will cost our nation upwards of $1.1
trillion dollars annually. Alzheimer’s disease is currently the 6th
leading cause of death in the United States, one out of every three seniors
dies from Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. Every family will be affected. This
data is staggering and certainly delivers a serious call to action for every
community. Caring Transitions and NewAldaya Lifescapes are “in the trenches”,
working directly with individuals with dementia, their families, and leading
efforts to address the challenges they face. This shared passion has created a
partnership to ‘Defeat Dementia’ in the Cedar Valley.
NewAldaya Lifescapes, a life plan community in Cedar Falls,
recently opened their state of the art CCDI certified Memory Care House in
September 2015. “We heard and responded to a sense of urgency for additional
dementia services in the community.” Stated Millisa Tierney, CEO, NewAldaya
Lifescapes. Both Caring Transitions and NewAldaya Lifescapes frequently see the
effect of Alzheimer’s not only on the diagnosed but also the family care
givers: the physical, emotional and
financial strain on family can be significant. “Ultimately, we all must help
end this devastating disease,” added Tierney. NewAldaya Lifescapes partnered
with University of Northern Iowa Panther Wrestling and Panther Sports
properties – to create Defeat Dementia
in honor of wrestling legend Keith Young. The program seeks to enhance
community awareness surrounding the needs of individuals with dementia and
their families, and raise funds to support NewAldaya’s program efforts to do
so.
Statistics, support and solutions. Those are key words to describe the strategy
of helping families, individuals and communities combat Alzheimer’s and its
debilitating health and financial effects.
The one “S” word, which is rarely talked about, is STUFF. After
determining a loved one needs additional care and services, families are left
wondering how to transition their family member to specialized memory care
settings. It can be a very confusing and an overwhelming process. Clearing out
family homes, sorting through a lifetime of memories and trying to determine
how to get it all done is no easy feat, especially when the number one priority
is their loved one. Caring Transitions of Northeast Iowa, focuses on the person
and their loved ones to ensure their priority is our priority. We do this through a Total Solution of Move
Management, Packing, Unpacking, Downsizing, Decluttering, Cleanouts and Estate
Sales. Our priority is the family.
Caring Transitions number one goal is to reduce their overwhelming stress and
anxiety relating to their later life transition. “We proudly support the Defeat Dementia
Campaign” stated Kerri Shimp, Owner, Caring Transitions.
Arm yourself with the tools to assist you distinguish
between the various certifications of care and how they impact your loved one –
not all dementia facilities are the same! Learn techniques that assist you
understanding your loved one’s behavior and minimize their environmental
triggers. Join us on the battlefield to Defeat
Dementia!
Additional information is available at www.NewAldaya.org or www.caringtransitionsofnortheastiowa.com