By Elizabeth Cloutman
 Photo by Joe Hu, Town Crier |
Alzheimer’s Association and El Camino join to provide support for patients and caregivers
When a physician makes the initial diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, the patient and his or her family may be in shock or denial. Caregivers often wait until a crisis point to seek help - risking the patient’s and their own well-being in the process.
The Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California and the Health Resource Center at El Camino Hospital have joined forces to form Living with Memory Loss, a proactive program to ensure patients and caregivers have a community support system in place well before that crisis occurs. Patients and their families can gain some control of the situation and begin to plan for the future.
“The health-care industry as a whole is coming together in that one organization can’t provide all of this,” said clinical psychologist Angela Lau, the program’s senior project director. “This is why we partner up.”
After receiving the newly diagnosed patient’s or family member’s permission, a physician gives contact information to the program’s staff, Lau said. Lau makes the initial call and assesses the patient’s and caregiver’s needs. She offers to make appointments to connect them with the resources they need. “The program is trying to cut down on some of the frustrations people might experience when they try to connect with resources.”
Lau then faxes the physician the results. It shows early diagnosis and early intervention, community support and education, in addition to medical care, are valuable … It helps everybody all around.”
Patients and their caregivers can return to the program for assistance throughout the changing course of the illness - from the early stages to placement in a skilled-care facility, if needed. There is no charge for the referral service.
Through Living with Memory Loss, families have access to case managers, a comprehensive database of available services, a 24-hour telephone help line, support groups and educational workshops, as well as written materials and videotapes.
Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are generally progressive and irreversible. Patients can become agitated or disoriented, have trouble communicating, suffer hallucinations or wander away from home.
Living with Memory Loss offers practical tips for coping with patients, as well as referrals to adult day services that provide appropriate structured activities for patients, allowing the caregiver respite time.
The Alzheimer’s Association’s Safe Return Program is a nationwide identification, support and registration program to ensure the safe return of a patient who has wandered away from home.
The program’s staff is aware that various cultures have differing perceptions on how to care for their elders, preferring that the family take on the responsibility.
The staff can assist in helping families set up a workable solution.
The Alzheimer’s Association also offers weekend informational workshops in San Jose, conducted in multiple languages, using headsets like those at the United Nations.
Sometimes, family members can disagree on how best to care for a loved one with dementia, leading to serious conflict. The Alzheimer’s Connections Program provides a family care specialist, John Timbs, to assist families in crisis.
Lau noted that Living with Memory Loss is modeled upon the Chronic Care Consortium, a federally funded program that partners with major managed-care providers, such as Kaiser, to connect patients and physicians to community outreach organizations.
The Health Trust of Santa Clara County, a non-profit organization that grants more than $12 million annually for community health programs, funds Living with Memory Loss. The majority of Health Trust’s funds come from individuals, foundations, corporations and government grants.
To participate in the Living with Memory Loss program, request a referral from your physician or call 623-3118.
To reach the Northern California help line, call (800) 660-1993.
The Help Line is open 24 hours, seven days a week.
