Care & Support Services Offered by the Alzheimer’s Association

COVID-19 Special Series This episode discusses the work done by The Alzheimer’s Association, an organization focused on providing community education and assistance to all affected by Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. Our guest details how care and support services have quickly adapted to keep families and loved ones safe, healthy, and connected under quarantine. Guest: Kate Kahles, Program Manager, Alzheimer's Association Wisconsin Chapter

Episode Topics:

• How have support groups changed under the pandemic? 2:53
• Alzheimer’s Association Helpline 5:50
• Types of support groups 7:15
• Advice for coping with the anxiety from having a loved one in a facility 9:00
• Outreach to rural communities 12:28 
• How has the stay-at-home order affected caregivers? 13:49
• Activities for caregivers and persons living with dementia 16:59
• Advance care planning 19:24
• Key services 20:14

Show Notes: To learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association and support services near you go to the Community Resource Finder or call the helpline at 1(800)272-3900. All of the important issues happening right now cannot be fully covered, so we strongly encourage you to go to trusted sources for specific information, such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, your state and local health department websites. You can also find resources on our website, and that of the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute. For other interesting and important stories on the COVID-19 pandemic, I would recommend my colleague at UW Health Jonathan Kohler, MD, MA, of the Surgery Sett podcast who has a special series called The Frontlines of COVID.