Towson, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/11/2010 -- Half of all Americans know someone who has Alzheimer’s disease. For one third of us, that person is a family member. The growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease among seniors is an increasing national concern, particularly now as we sit on the cusp of an unprecedented demographic shift. The first of the Baby Boomers turn 65 in January and 20 percent of the population will be seniors within the next two decades.

As scientists desperately search for a cure for Alzheimer’s, families are experimenting with new prevention techniques in the comfort of their elderly loved one’s home.

For National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, Senior Helpers, a leading national in-home senior care provider accredited as an Alzheimer’s Association Early Detection Alliance (AEDA) Champion, is helping these families with innovative in-home programs to help seniors exercise their bodies and minds to stave off Alzheimer’s.

“One of the most important things we do is to educate seniors and their families,” says Peter Ross, founder and CEO of Senior Helpers. “There is no cure in sight for Alzheimer’s, but research has proven time and time again that exercise for the body and mind are two of the best ways to prevent the onset and progression of the disease. We have some great activities and programs in place to help seniors work their muscles and their brains on a daily basis so they can stay healthy and sharp.”

Senior Helpers’ New Alzheimer’s Prevention Programs:

• Brainy Day Activities* – program that works different parts of the brain through specially designed games and puzzles

• Life Bio Journal** – Senior Helpers’ caregivers work with seniors to chronicle their life story in a journal that works the memory, verbalizes thoughts and provides a great keepsake for family

• Individual Exercise – based on the capabilities of the individual, caregivers get seniors up and moving to increase cardio and muscular health

“When a loved one develops Alzheimer’s, it affects the whole family,” Ross says. “Caring for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients can be difficult physically and emotionally. Sometimes families need help from a trained, certified professional caregiver. This is especially important for people who can’t see their elderly loved ones on a regular basis or for those who live far away.”

More Fast Facts about Alzheimer’s***:
• The number Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s (currently estimated at 5.3 million) will more than double in the next two decades.
• Alzheimer’s hits women harder than men – 2/3 of those with Alzheimer’s are female
• Obesity and diabetes are leading risk factors; diabetes increases Alzheimer’s risk by 65 percent
• Annual per patient cost of Alzheimer’s in the U.S. is $56,800
• 60 percent of this cost is borne by the family
• Global cost of Alzheimer’s care is estimated at $604 billion

We can help you put a local face on Alzheimer’s for this story. We can provide a family trying new techniques to help ease the struggle of caring for an aging loved one with this disease and senior care experts in the area can talk about how to care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients at home. This is a timely story that affects a huge portion of your audience this November, National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Let us know if you’d like to tell it

*The “Brainy Day Activity Program” is a product of HippoCampus Headquarters utilized by Senior Helpers
**Life Bio Journal is a product of LifeBio.com utilized by Senior Helpers
*** Source: Alzheimer’s Association

About Senior Helpers:
Senior Helpers connects professional caregivers with seniors who wish to live at home as opposed to a nursing or assisted living facility. The company has 300 franchises in 42 states and one in Canada offering a wide range of personal and companion care services to assist seniors living independently with a strong focus on quality of life for the client and peace of mind for their families. Senior Helpers strives to be the leading companion and personal care provider that offers dependable, consistent and affordable home care.

For more information, please visit http://www.seniorhelpers.com.