‘RURAL TELEHEALTH’ CAREGIVER PROGRAM TO BE OFFERED
There are an estimated 70,000 people living with alzheimer’s and 271,000 caregivers in Kentucky, providing care for their loved ones.In many of the rural areas, there are not enough resources to turn to.
Caregivers often report burnout due to the demands of caregiving and lack of feeling equipped to handle the day to day challenges that are brought about by these brain diseases.Often caregivers and their diagnosed loved ones feel isolated because they may not be able to carry on with their normal day to day activities due to the disease.
One program that may be helpful to families living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia may be the Rural Telehealth program. The program brings people together that are going through similar situations caused by Alzheimer’s and related dementias. It is a support for families to see other caregivers and know that they are not alone. Caregivers benefit from the education provided by expert presenters.
The interactive telehealth program happen quarterly in January, April, July, and October. It is broadcast live from the University of Kentucky to rural parts of the state. Topics have included Research Updates, Management of Behavioral Symptoms in Dementia, Caregiver Wellness, Staying Safe, The Basics of Alzheimer’s Disease, Late Stage Dementia, and many more.
On October 26th, the University of Kentucky Sanders Brown Center on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association will present the next Telehealth program: Question & Answer Session on Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. A panel of experts including a behavioral neurologist, social worker, gerontologist and program coordinator from the Alzheimer’s Association will answer questions from around the state. The program will take place from 6:30pm-8:00pmEST at the Center for Health Education & Research located at 16 West 2nd Street in Morehead.
This program is free and open to the public, but registration is required by October 19th. To register, please contact Hardin Stevens at 859-323-2997 or hardin.stevens@uky.edu.
About the University of Kentucky Sanders Brown Center on Aging
The University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging (SBCoA) basic and clinical scientists work together to improve the health of the elderly in Kentucky and beyond through research dedicated to understanding the aging process and age-related brain diseases, and education, outreach and clinical programs that promote healthy brain aging. For more information call (859) 323-6040.
About the Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. It is the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s research. The Association’s mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Its vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. Visit www.alz.org or call 800.272.3900.
Contact: April Stauffer, Alzheimer’s Association
859-266-5283, ext. 8179, astauffer@alz.org
