If your parents or grandparents are diagnosed with dementia, your first thought will probably be, “How can I help?” According to the Alzheimer's Association, 16 million adult family members care for someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. You can be more confident in this demanding role if you know where to turn for help.
Here are six dementia care resources available to you if you live in or near Atlanta.
This is a good place to start if you are new to the role of caregiver for a senior with a recent diagnosis of dementia.
You can attend one of the program’s workshops to get an overview of the physical, emotional, and financial challenges you and your loved one may face in dealing with dementia. Counselors can meet with you to create an individualized plan to target the resources that will be most helpful.
For more information, call the Sixty Plus Helpline at 404-605-3867.
Besides working to fund research to find a cure for Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association has chapters throughout the community to educate and support seniors with dementia and their caregivers.
This is a collaboration between several organizations that share the goal of helping seniors — including those with dementia — with their increasing needs as they age. It’s a great place to find referrals to a wide variety of services including wellness services, social support, and transportation. Call 866-243-9355 to find out more.
This resource is provided by Jewish Family & Career Services to support all aging seniors and their families. Two of the programs offered, Music & Memory and the Brain Health Boot Camp, are designed specifically for those with dementia.
This program provides support for seniors both with and without dementia in order to give caregivers a break. The services it offers include help with chores, assistance with dressing and bathing, and companionship and supervision. Transportation to appointments can also be arranged. To find out more, call 404-463-3333.
This nonprofit, run by a group of churches and a synagogue, provides care for seniors with dementia so that their caregivers can have some time to themselves. The program operates three days a week from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, 2715 Peachtree Road NE. To find out how to apply, visit its website.
Arbor Terrace at Cascade in Southwest Atlanta provides care that is specially designed for residents living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. When seniors join the Arbor Terrace community, friends and family members get the peace of mind that comes with knowing their loved ones have the support they need. If you’d like to learn more about Arbor Terrace at Cascade, call us at 404-691-0304 to schedule a tour.