SUPPORT STRATEGIES FOR ALZHEIMER’S

There are currently more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s Disease with that number expected to increase to 13.8 million by 2060. While some families may opt for care at a facility, Connecticut-based nonmedical home care agency Assisted Living Services Inc. has developed new solutions in combination with technological devices to ensure the right supportive care at home. “We know from experience that an Alzheimer’s diagnosis and other memory-related disorders pose real challenges for the entire family,” said Mario D’Aquila, MBA, chief operating officer of Assisted Living Services Inc. (ALS) and senior vice president of Assisted Living Technologie Inc. (ALT). “It may seem overwhelming, but we can offer support since more than half of our clients have some degree of dementia or memory impairment.
D’Aquila notes that if families want to keep their loved one living at home, they need to be prepared for the responsibilities, which include managing medications, monitoring every-day activities, ensuring home safety and addressing loneliness and isolation.
Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are new medications that can slow progression and lesson symptoms. Accordingly, Alzheimer’s patients in mild to moderate stages of the disease can significantly improve medication compliance with today’s technology. Automated medication dispensers provide both a visual and auditory alert and can even send a call to the patient as a reminder, as well as notify caregivers if a regimen is not being followed. ALS has experienced compliance near 95% with clients across Connecticut who use these dispensers that typically cost only $2 per day.
In addition to quality of care, families also need to compare the cost of a facility versus in-home care. If the client qualifies for Medicaid, they may be eligible for the CT Homecare Program for Elders, which pays for in home care. This program can benefit those with cognitive disabilities and memory impairment brought on by Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and other dementia-related disorders.
In conjunction with personal care, the sister company of ALS, Assisted Living Technologies, Inc., offers a wide variety of primarily wireless, sensor-based technologies for a second layer of security. Stovetop fire prevention devices, personal body worn GPS locators, automatic fall detection sensors, video-visit systems and more provide constant monitoring.