Posted 8:31 am Tuesday, July 10, 2012
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Free Online Classes Available For Alzheimer's Home Care
About 70 percent of Alzheimer's patients live at home, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Many times, a caregiver is a family member who may not have dealt with the illness before.
"It's there and it's real," said Allison McKinney, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office in Tyler, serving Smith and Wood counties. "If the diagnosis is there, you have to be prepared."
The business, which provides services that allow Alzheimer's patients to stay in their homes, such as companionship and running errands, is offering free online classes to anyone who has found themselves in the role of a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer's.
"It's free, it's easy to navigate and it can be used by every person who is caring for a loved one," she said.
Home Instead Senior Care is part of an international organization founded in 1994.
The organization has been at its office in the Einstein Bros Bagels building since November. It is serving about five patients; three in their homes and two in assisted living facilities.
"If caregivers can change their behavior, it can make things more pleasant," Ms. McKinney said. "We need to be wherever the patient is mentally. We can change; they can't."
For more information about free family caregiver training or to obtain a free copy of the Helping Families Cope booklet, contact the local Home Instead Senior Care office at 903-258-9061 or visit help foralzheimersfamilies.com.
