The diagnosis can be devastating and life changing for the patient and his family alike.

It’s Alzheimer’s disease, and it’s a diagnosis that is becoming more and more common.

In an effort to support and educate patients and their families, the Alzheimer’s Association Miami Valley Chapter recently started a program called Care Consultations. It is designed to help improve the quality of life for the person with the disease and help decrease stress for the care partners.

“We focus on helping the family develop a plan,” said Jane Eckels, clinical services director of the Miami Valley chapter. “We try to help them work through the process.”

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 5.4 million people nationwide, and 30,000 in the Miami Valley, have the form of dementia commonly associated with problems with memory and thinking as well as changes in behavior. That translates to one in eight older Americans living with the disease.

Shock, fear, sorrow and confusion are all common responses to the initial diagnosis, but once the situation has sunk in, the questions begin.

“When my grandmother was diagnosed, we weren’t sure who to turn to,” said Ricky Birt of Springfield. “There were so many things we, as a family, had to educate ourselves about. We, like so many people, had to navigate the waters of becoming caregivers.”

Consultation

The Care Consultation begins with a phone call from the family. A social worker then meets with the family and assesses the patient’s functioning level as well as the caregiver’s stress level. The social worker looks at what community agencies the family is already using and helps them make connections with other helpful agencies and organizations.

It’s about education, information and support.

“We want them to know they aren’t doing this on their own,” Eckels said.

Birt said that support has been invaluable as he and his family have been adjusting to his grandmother, Harriett’s, condition.

“The Alzheimer’s Association has been a wonderful ally in this process,” he said. “There is still so much we don’t know about the disease, because every case is unique, but having an evolving plan, that will change with the disease, has been so helpful.”

Harriett, 74, was diagnosed in January and moved in with Birt, a Wittenburg University junior, and his parents in their Springfield home two months ago. The key for the Springfield family has been sharing the care giving.

“My mom, my dad and I do much of it, but we’re also working with Dynamic Senior Solutions, and we have friends, neighbors and people from our church who are all willing to help out when we need it,” he said.

Making contacts

Families interested in the Care Consultation program should call (800) 272-3900. That support line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or they can go online to www.alz.org for more information or resources.

Reaching out for help is a critical first step, but Birt has learned one other valuable lesson as the result of his grandmother’s diagnosis:

“Cherish the person, because you don’t know what tomorrow will bring.”