Alzheimer's Association Offers Tele-Group For Caregivers In Massachusetts And New Hampshire

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Also Included In: Caregivers / Homecare
Article Date: 26 Jan 2009 - 1:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Support groups can impact the physical and mental wellbeing of caregivers, but some people simply cannot attend them. The Alzheimer's Association hopes to open the door to support by offering a new telephone-based group for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.

"Research has made it clear that attending a support group benefits not only the caregiver, but also the person they are caring for. Studies show support groups not only decrease stress and improve wellbeing on the part of the caregiver but also, through the disease education they provide, delay the need for nursing home placement for the patient," said Dr. Paul Raia, Vice President of Patient Services and Family Support, Alzheimer's Association, MA/NH Chapter.

The Alzheimer's Association's goal is to insure that all caregivers have access to a group if they want to attend. Caregivers who are homebound either because they taking care of the person with the disease or they don't have transportation to get to a group can benefit from participating in a tele-group. The Alzheimer's Association also expects the group to be helpful in rural areas, where there may not be enough caregivers in a given geographic location to form a group.

The group is slated to begin in February. It is free to join and there are no toll charges involved in the call. Prospective members are required to call one of the group facilitators prior to the meeting to receive information and instructions on how to access the teleconference line. In Massachusetts, call Ginny Sinkoski at 413-787-1113; in New Hampshire, call Susan Antkowiak at 603-606-6590.

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. In Massachusetts, programs include a 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900, support groups, education offerings for families and training for health care professionals. For more information, visit http://www.alz.org/MANH.

The Alzheimer's Association

• Additional
• References
• Citations