Caregivers Conference Oct. 13
Hillsborough County brings Alzheimer’s/dementia agencies together for information-packed event
By YVETTE C. HAMMETT
The State of Florida is home to 20,000 people living with Alzheimer’s disease. That is 12 percent of the state’s population, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. There are an estimated 5.7 million individuals in the U.S. living with the mind-deteriorating disease.
Many still live at home or with relatives. And those caregivers sacrifice greatly.
Each year for 27 years now, Hillsborough County has hosted a Caregivers Conference to make those who care for loved ones aware of the many services the county and local agencies offer in the form of adult day care, healthcare, memory care and more.
This year, the conference takes place Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Phyllis Busansky Specialized Alzheimer’s Services Adult Day Care, 4102 Spruce Street W., Tampa.
Admission is free, but RSVPs are requested by calling Remona Singleton at Hillsborough County Aging Services at 813-644-5985.
By 2050, those affected in Florida by Alzheimer’s are expected to grow to an anticipated 720,000.
“Our Caregivers Conference is held once a year typically around the time there is a national celebration of adult day care services,” said Anika Coney, manager for the county’s Adult Day Services Program. “We just really try to create awareness around Alzheimer’s prevention and support for caregivers.
“We bring together caregivers from all over the community, along with providers and organizations that provide services. It may be healthcare companies, long-term managed care, community providers.”
Speakers for the Caregivers Conference are coming from the University of South Florida’s Memory Disorder Clinic and from the Byrd Institute, another large Alzheimer’s research center the county works with year-round on providing educational assistance to caregivers.
“At the conference, we spotlight family members or people who have loved ones with physical or mental challenges, both of which can take emotional and financial tolls on caregivers,” Coney said.
“They feel isolated. We will connect them to support groups to help them connect with people dealing with the same or similar problems.”
There are often great challenges for caregivers, she said. “This conference allows caregivers and providers to connect with community partners that can provide educational resources, even help with financial burdens. It’s about helping them to navigate through the path of dealing with loved ones struggling with Alzheimer’s.”
Day care for Alzheimer’s patients will be available at the conference.
Coney said about 100 folks are expected to attend.
Many suffering from Alzheimer’s require care 24 hours a day, especially in the late stages of the disease.
Alzheimer’s Statistics, according to the Alzheimer’s Association
• One in 10 people age 65 and older (10 percent) has Alzheimer’s dementia.
• Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women.
• Older African-Americans are about twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older whites.
• Hispanics are about one and one-half times as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older whites.
• Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in this country and the fifth-leading cause of death among those age 65 and older. It also is a leading cause of poor health and disability.
• Deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have increased significantly in recent years. Between 2000 and 2015, deaths from Alzheimer’s disease as recorded on death certificates increased 123 percent. Deaths from the number one cause of death (heart disease) decreased by 11 percent.
Family and friends or other unpaid caregivers account for 83 percent of the care for those with Alzheimer’s or other dementia. One in three of those caregivers is also over 65.
Adult day care services are offered through Hillsborough County in four locations. Social activities, transportation, meals and snacks, personal care, therapeutic activities, exercise and mental interaction are all part of the program, Coney said.
The program is not income-based. Each person is assessed for needs. Once enrolled, grants that are available to help pay for the care are implemented, along with copays from families based on a sliding scale.
For more information on the county program, call 813-272-5250, or visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/residents/social-services/seniors/adult-day-services.