UCDD Offers Support For Alzheimers Patients And Caretakers

With Alzheimer’s cases continuing to rise, the Upper Cumberland Development District offers support for those caring for people with Alzheimer’s.

Programs Manager Jeff Hodges said the Area Agency on Aging and Disability wants to help caregivers because they often do not get much of a break, and the work can be overwhelming.

“Any kind of break that you can give somebody with that I think is going to help tremendously, especially Alzheimer’s and dementia clients or patients with certain needs or things that you have to meet,” Hodges said. “It can be very exhausting so we want to offer the public something, some kind of relief or break.”

Hodges said the agency provides several resources to help caregivers. He said one is homemaking, where caregivers are helped out with cleaning, laundry, dishes, and other general housekeeping things. He said another is hands-on care for patients who need help with things like getting dressed, eating, and bathing. He said home-delivered meals are also offered.

“We work with some of our providers in the area, they have availability, they can do four hours a week of services for someone to give that caregiver a break,” Hodges said. “To give that caregiver a break, they can go do whatever they need to do.”

Hodges said he thinks they can do even more to help out caregivers going forward. He said the program has been successful so far, but they want to get the word out so they can help as many people as possible.

“We want to show the public the success that it’s having,” Hodges said. “So that way with the funding sources they can see the success of it, they see where the need is, and they continue to fund that so we can hopefully help even more people.”

Hodges said the funding comes from the Alzheimer’s Association and is funneled through the State Agency on Aging and Disability.

Alzheimer’s impacts more than six million people living in the United States, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. That number is projected to grow to 13 million by 2050.