The Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter is expanding its support options with new online resources aimed at helping people living with Alzheimer’s disease and those who care for them, the organization announced as National Caregiver Month gets underway.
Erica Eikern, with the Iowa chapter, said the group’s Transition in Care program is designed to guide families through each stage of the disease and offer personalized assistance.
“And really just helps people who are newly diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s to really have that tailored, personalized support that they need when caregiving for someone with dementia,” Eikern said.
The association has also launched an online education program for middle- and late-stage caregivers, offering training to build skills, manage stress and connect with others facing similar challenges.
In Iowa, more than 62,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, Eikern said. An estimated 80,000 Iowans care for them. Nationwide, more than 12 million Americans provide unpaid care for someone with Alzheimer’s, assistance valued at more than $441 billion, according to the association.
While a handful of drugs have been approved to slow the progression of the disease, no cure exists.
Eikern said caregivers can also access a new mobile app, My ALZ Journey, which offers guidance on supporting friends or family members who have recently been diagnosed.