Towson, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/08/2011 -- With the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease escalating and the needs of families dramatically increasing along with it, Senior Helpers, one of the largest in-home care companies for seniors in the nation, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), one of the nation’s leading non-profit foundations dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with the disease and their families.

“This partnership was an easy decision for us at Senior Helpers because of our commitment to educating families and their elderly loved ones about the different stages of dementia and how to cope with every aspect of the disease,” says Peter Ross, CEO and co-founder of Senior Helpers. “Alzheimer’s is not only devastating for the senior living with the condition but it also creates a tremendous strain on the family. Our caregivers know first-hand what it takes to combat this devastating disease, and we feel this partnership can further help families cope, emotionally and physically, one step at a time.”

Currently, as many as 5.1 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, a brain disorder that is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. While Alzheimer’s disease is not considered a normal part of aging, the risk for seniors developing this devastating disease rises as they get older; in fact, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years, beginning at age 65.

As part of the strategic partnership, Senior Helpers and AFA will co-sponsor educational conferences and webinars related to care issues, and collaborate on other projects that promote improved quality of care for the dementia population.

In addition, Senior Helpers is proud to be a silver sponsor of AFA’s National Memory Screening Day on November 15, 2011 and encourages individuals with memory concerns and those who want to check their memory now and for future comparison to take a free screening. On this day, many Senior Helpers locations will be promoting the event and providing free, confidential screenings and educational materials in communities throughout the nation. Each screening is a five to ten minute, non-diagnostic test; while the results do not represent a diagnosis, they are seen as a significant first step in early detection of a memory problem.

Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease (according to AFA):

1. Memory loss - especially of recent events, names, placement of objects, and other new information

2. Confusion about time and place

3. Struggling to complete familiar actions - such as brushing teeth or getting dressed

4. Trouble finding the appropriate words, completing sentences, and following directions and conversations

5. Poor judgment when making decisions

6. Changes in mood and personality - such as increased suspicion, rapid and persistent mood swings, withdrawal, and disinterest in usual activities

7. Difficulty with complex mental assignments- such as balancing a checkbook or other tasks involving numbers

“While we all await a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America strongly believes that education and optimal care are the most effective tools to tackle this public health crisis,” says Eric J. Hall, AFA’s Founding President and CEO. “We look forward to collaborating with Senior Helpers to spread this message across the country and help this deserving population.”

*Sources: Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, National Institute on Aging, the Harvard School of Public Health

Did You Know?:
• Alzheimer's disease is among the top 10 leading causes of death in the U.S.

• It’s estimated that one to four family members act as caregivers for each individual with Alzheimer’s disease.

• Alzheimer's disease costs U.S. businesses more than $60 billion a year, stemming from lost productivity and absenteeism by primary caregivers, and insurance costs.

• The annual cost of caring for one individual with Alzheimer's disease ranges from nearly $18,500 to more than $36,000, depending on the stage of the disease.