Alzheimer's CAREGiver Training Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, February 23, 2009

For More information:

Carolyn Casey

(830) 624-8380

New Local Program Helps Those Afflicted

with Alzheimer's Disease

Stay at Home Longer

Specialized non-medical care for the victims of Alzheimer's disease is now available in New Braunfels and surrounding communities, and it is helping them live safely and more comfortably both at home and, when necessary, in care facilities.

That's especially important because as many as 5 million Americans presently suffer from Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's is a progressive disease that always worsens until its victims eventually require full-time assistance with the activities of daily living. While there is no known cure, an award-winning national program offered by a local company " Home Instead Senior Care^® is helping those afflicted with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias to stay home longer than ever before.

This special training, developed in partnership with one of the nation's leading Alzheimer's organizations, prepares Home Instead CAREGivers^SM to provide in-home support to those afflicted with Alzheimer's as well as their families.

"The progression of Alzheimer's disease impacts the self-esteem and dignity of the ailing individual and attacks the family's emotional well-being by putting strain on family caregivers', said Carolyn Casey Home Instead Senior Care can help by providing respite to the family caregiver and support and understanding to our clients who suffer from this terrible disease.

The New Braunfels Home Instead Senior Care franchise office trains its CAREGivers using a specialized program developed in partnership with The George G. Glenner Alzheimer's Family Centers, Inc.^®, based in San Diego, CA. Joy Glenner and her husband, the late Dr. George G. Glenner, a renowned research pathologist, founded the Glenner Centers in 1982. They are nationally recognized for their development of Alzheimer's disease care. Dr. Glenner is credited with isolating and identifying the hallmark and probable cause of Alzheimer's disease in 1984 the beta amyloid protein which collects in the brain and causes the death of neuronal cells.

"Today nearly 5 million Americans are afflicted with Alzheimer's disease, but that number is expected to increase to as many as 16 million by the year 2050," said Casey "But that doesn't mean that victims of the disease can't live comfortably with their families in their homes for as long as possible. We're very pleased to be able to assist in making that happen."

As a result, the demand for specialized care for both the victim and the victim's family is increasing rapidly. Home Instead Senior Care's Alzheimer's program provides the kind of training which helps its network of CAREGivers understand:

The symptoms of the illness;
How to build positive CAREGiver/client relationships and manage the changing behaviors of clients with Alzheimer's disease; and,
How to keep clients with Alzheimer's active in daily tasks and independent for as long as possible.

These Home Instead Senior Care services are available in any of the 800 independently owned and operated businesses for as little as a few hours a week up to 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays.

For more information, contact:

Carolyn Casey

(830) 624-8380

Carolyn.casey@homeinstead.com