Resources for dementia caregivers

Oct. 31--Memory loss. Confusion. Wandering. Belligerence. Paranoia.

These are just some of things caregivers can expect if they are taking care of a family member with Alzheimer's or other type of dementia.

"Even with these many potential challenges, it's important to remember that these behaviors are often coping tactics for a person with deteriorating brain function," according to the Family Caregiving Alliance. "There's no question that dealing with these behaviors can make caregiving especially challenging."

The already-stressful demands of caregiving are compounded when dementia is involved, so it's even more important that caregivers reach out for help. Below are some of the resources available. Alzheimer's-related organizations can also recommend other ways to find assistance.

Alzheimer's San Diego

A local nonprofit organization serving the more than 84,000 San Diegans living with Alzheimer's disease -- and the 292,000 people who care for them -- Alzheimer's San Diego offers a wide range of services. Among them are educational workshops, support groups, respite care, counseling, access to dementia experts, personalized action plans and a new six-week program called Coping with Caregiving. That specialized series focuses on understanding dementia-related changes, building a support team and planning for the future. The organization's website also offers detailed, authoritative information about the disease.

Contact: (858) 492-4400; alzsd.org

Alzheimer's Association San Diego/Imperial

The local chapter of the national organization has a 24/7 Helpline that caregivers can call with questions about the disease, medications, treatment, brain health and care resource options. Offered in 200 languages, the Helpline also offers emotional support. The Alzheimer's Association provides tips on caregiving, how to get respite care and referrals for services. The website has a community resource finder, online educational tools in English and Spanish, and a calendar of local classes and information sessions.

Contact: (619) 678-8322; 24/7 Helpline (800) 272-3900; www.alz.org/sandiego

AARP

With its focus on the needs of baby boomers and seniors, AARP's website offers extensive information and advice on the various challenges associated with caregiving for someone with Alzheimer's or other dementia. It also has a useful, well-organized online guide to "Help Caring for Someone with Dementia".

Contact: aarp.org

Read more:

The Family Caregiver Alliance has a comprehensive fact sheet on caregiving and dementia.

The National Institute on Aging website explores the many challenges facing dementia caregivers and offers solutions and resources.

Choose Well San Diego

If the person with dementia is no longer able to live at home, you'll want to find a community that you can afford and also provides quality care. Choose Well San Diego is a county-funded website that can help you compare over 600 licensed assisted living and memory care facilities side by side. The facility finder is a searchable database that lists licensing information, capacity, pricing, SSI and financial assistance information, specialty care details, staffing levels, facility amenities, other on-site services and more. Facilities that volunteer to be rated by Choose Well get a profile page that includes a computed score. Scores are based on 11 Quality Measures, including civil penalties, basic care and supervision, resident rights, medical needs and responsiveness and food and nutrition. Citations, violations, complaints and other information about nonparticipating facilities can be researched on the California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division. (The records of licensed paid caregivers and adult day care centers can also be searched there.)

Contact: (619) 795-2165; choosewellsandiego.org

Take Me Home

Statistics show that six out of 10 people with dementia will wander. The San Diego County Sheriffs Department's Take Me Home program is a photo-based information system accessible to all law enforcement agencies in the region. It is designed to assist law enforcement during contacts with members of the community who have autism, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Down syndrome, deafness, developmental disabilities or any other special need.

Enrollment on the San Diego Sheriff's Department website is free. For more information, contact Alzheimer's San Diego or a Crime Prevention Specialist, located at any Sheriff's station. See other ways to get help when someone wanders here.

The University of California San Diego, Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer'sDisease Research Center (ADRC)

One of the original Alzheimer's Disease Centers supported by the National Institute on Aging, the primary mission of this ADRC is researching the causes, treatment, and prevention of Alzheimer's disease. But it also offers resources to people with Alzheimer's, their family and caregivers. Among the center's programs are caregiver support groups (for Alzheimer's caregivers and non-Alzheimer's dementia caregivers) and Memories at the Museums, monthly docent-led tours of four Balboa Park art museums for people with mild-to-moderate dementia and an accompanying caregiver or friend.

Contact: (858) 822-4800; adrc.ucsd.edu

Adult day care

San Diego County has a number of licensed adult day programs for the cognitively impaired that offer not only a safe, engaging place for someone with dementia to spend the day, it provides a needed break for caregivers. See a list of adult day care centers here.

Read more: For a checklist on how to choose an adult day care center, click here.

San Diego County caregivers can request free or low-cost minor home modifications, such as the installation of hand rails, grab bars, smoke detectors and handheld shower heads, from at least three nonprofit organizations.

* Jewish Family Service: Fix-It program, (858) 637-3354 or fixit@jfssd.org.

* ElderHelp: Care Coordination program, (619) 284-9281.

* Interfaith Community Services: serving North County, (760) 489-6380

Read more:

michele.parente@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @sdeditgirl

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