The Alzheimer’s Association® estimates that last year, U.S. families dealing with Alzheimer’s provided 8.4 billion hours of care. In Massachusetts alone there were an estimated 206,000 caregivers, providing 178.3 million hours of care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or a similar form of dementia, at an economic value of $1.8 billion. For many, it meant taking time off from work. This figure is expected to rise dramatically as Baby Boomers age. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 10 million Baby Boomers will develop Alzheimer’s disease, an increase in prevalence that could potentially bankrupt Medicare, damage the nation’s economy, and wreak financial ruin on unprepared families.
The Alzheimer’s Association is helping communities prepare for the anticipated growth in numbers of people with the disease by holding a series of free workshops throughout the Commonwealth. Designed for professionals whose work intersects with Alzheimer’s issues, “Early, Mid and Advanced Stage Alzheimer’s disease: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach” will cover a wide range of topics.
“We need to act now to address this looming epidemic, so that we are all prepared as well as we can be,” said James Wessler, President/CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association MA/NH Chapter. “Every 71 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer’s, and our health care system and economy is ill-equipped to deal with the projected rise in Alzheimer’s.”
The workshops are set for Watertown, Worcester, Springfield, North Andover, and Middleboro and will feature experts in the fields of dementia care, Alzheimer’s research and Elder Law.
Today, as many as 5.2 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease—120,000 of them in Massachusetts. Alzheimer’s is the seventh leading cause of death in the country and the fifth leading cause of death for those over age 65.
The Alzheimer's Association is the leading health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. In Massachusetts, programs include a 24/7 Helpline, support groups, education offerings for families, and training for health care professionals. The Association has headquarters in Watertown, and regional offices in Lowell, Sandwich, Springfield, and Worcester, MA and Bedford, NH.
Since space is limited, registration at events@alzmass.org is required. For a complete list of speakers, and additional information, visit www.alz.org/MA. Sessions are free, include continental breakfast and take place 8:00-10:00 AM:
May 6: Watertown, MA, Alzheimer’s Association, 311 Arsenal Street
May 19: Springfield, The Good Life Center, 1600 East Columbus Avenue
May 20, Middleboro: Middleboro COA, 558 Plymouth Street
May 28: Worcester, Worcester Senior Center, 128 Providence Street
May 29: North Andover, Merrimack College, Cascia Hall, 315 Turnpike Street
Contacts:
Betsy
Percoski, 617-868-6718
VP Communications
617-393-2055 direct
978-996-7517
cell
Betsy.percoski@alz.org
