To honor the nearly 12 million unpaid Alzheimer and dementia caregivers in the U.S. during National Family Caregivers and National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, the Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter has expanded its caregiver support programs.
The organization launched three new resources this year to help families manage care transitions and access treatment options. The additions include Transitions in Care, an online program for families moving loved ones into long-term care facilities; The Empowered Caregiver, designed for middle- and late-stage caregivers; and My ALZ Journey, a digital tool for newly diagnosed patients and their care partners.
The programs address growing needs as more than 62,000 Iowans age 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, according to the association.
The Iowa Chapter operates more than 60 support groups statewide and offers in-person and virtual education programs on disease management and caregiver wellness. Resources can be found at alz.org/nadam.
