Help a Phone Call Away for Illinoisans Affected by Memory Loss

National Alzheimer’s Disease Month―Anytime―a Great Time to “Make the First Call”

When it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Illinois Chapter is as near as a phone and computer keyboard for the more than half a million Illinoisans affected by Alzheimer’s disease and for anyone concerned about memory loss and interested in brain health. 

In observance of the 22^nd annual National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month (NADM) in November, the Greater Illinois Chapter encouraged people to “Make the First Call” to the association’s 24-hour toll-free Helpline - 800.272.3900.  NADM was first established in 1983 by the late President Ronald Reagan.

“Everyone in Illinois should have the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24-hour Helpline phone number and Web site address on their refrigerators and in their wallets, especially Alzheimer caregivers and those concerned about memory loss in a family member or friend,” said Kent Barnheiser, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Illinois Chapter. 

“As the number of people impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementias continues to increase, the toll-free Helpline number (800.272.3900) and Web site – www.alzheimers-illinois.org are two ways virtually every one us can find information, support and resources to understand dementia and cope with the physical, emotional and financial aspects of the disease,” he said. 

Today, 640,000 Illinoisans are impacted by Alzheimer’s, including 210,000 people with the disease, plus family members and caregivers, according to the association.  Most people with Alzheimer’s live at home, cared for by family and friends.  The association also says one in every 10 Americans is an Alzheimer caregiver, one in three knows someone with Alzheimer’s and as many as 240,000 Illinoisans could have Alzheimer’s disease by 2025. 

“A barometer of caregiver concerns are the calls to our 24-hour Helpline,” Barnheiser said.  “Caller requests range from how to manage activities of daily living for people in their care and how to cope with the impact of caregiving on their personal health and jobs, to the warning signs of Alzheimer’s.  Plus, we’re hearing from more first-time callers, from those whose first language is not English, and from those concerned about signs of memory loss in a family member or friend.” 

Barnheiser noted Helpline caller concerns resemble those of caregivers participating in a nationwide survey in 2003.  The subsequent report, “Families Care: Alzheimer’s Caregiving in the United States,” issued in 2004 by the association, indicated the majority of caregivers cared for a parent, parent-in-law, grandparent or spouse and provided care for long periods of time.  One in four caregivers reported providing constant care (40 or more hours a week); seven in 10 provided care for more than a year; and one-third provided care for five or more years. 

Additional highlights of the report indicate:

• Information Sought—caregivers sought information on: easy activities to do with the people they care for (35%); keeping people in their care safe at home (34%); managing challenging behaviors (31%); and choosing an assisted living facility or home care agency (22%).

• Unmet Needs—74% of caregivers reported unmet needs of their own; 55% said they sacrificed time with family; 49% said they gave up vacations, social activities; and only about half of caregivers (44%) used paid help to assist with caregiving, though some took part in support groups (11%) and used respite care services (9%).

• Personal Health—18% of caregivers said they perceived a link between caregiving and a decline in their own health; 30% said they got less exercise; and nearly half (46%) reported high levels of emotional stress.

• Caregiving and Jobs—66% of caregivers reported missing work to provide care; 14% gave up work entirely or chose early retirement; 13% cut back their work hours or took a less demanding job.

“All this is exactly why we urge people to call the Alzheimer’s Association as a first step in gaining some control and confidence in their lives, whether they are trying to understand a recent diagnosis or they have been living with the disease for some time,” Barnheiser said.  “The good news is that our Helpline staff can help caregivers with information and finding resources, programs, services and support wherever they are in the disease process.”

First-Ever Alzheimer’s Disease Month Proclamation in Illinois

The Greater Illinois Chapter heartily applauds the Illinois General Assembly for recognizing November as Alzheimer’s Disease Month in Illinois by passing House Bill (HB 20) last session, and Governor Blagojevich for signing the proclamation.  Special thanks to Senator Mattie Hunter for carrying the bill in the Illinois Senate and Representative Suzanne Bassi for being the chief sponsor in the Illinois House of Representatives.  Click here to see the proclamation [warning, this is a large (2 MB) pdf file].