Family members urged to reach out for help with dementia concerns

The Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter, which serves seven counties in New York, has a variety of programs and services available for the general public and for families living with dementia. Due to health concerns related to COVID-19, most of these are currently being provided virtually or by phone.

The Association’s 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900 is always available to answer any questions and concerns. Typically, during and after the holidays, the number of calls increase when people who recently visited friends and family that they haven’t seen in a while notice changes in their loved ones. The Helpline is an ideal place to find answers and resources for additional assistance.

“Helpline calls often lead to local referrals to our chapter for additional resources, such as free education programs and personalized family care consultations,” said Meg Boyce, Vice President of Programs and Services for the Hudson Valley Chapter.

As our loved ones age, we often attribute memory loss to normal aging, although some behaviors or signs of cognitive decline may result from something more severe. Boyce noted it can be tempting to remain in denial about such changes in a loved one’s behavior, but that putting off a diagnosis can add to difficulties down the road.

“Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging. It is a progressive disease, in which the symptoms gradually worsen over time,” she said. “Ignoring signs of cognitive impairment out of fear or denial can lead to greater heartache and the possible worsening of the situation.”

The Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter encourages families to keep the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s in mind:

• Memory changes that disrupts daily life, such as forgetting important events
• Challenges in planning or solving problems, such as keeping track of monthly bills
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks, such as driving to routine places
• Confusion with time or place
• Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
• New problems with words in speaking or writing
• Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps, such as putting keys in the freezer
• Decreased or poor judgment, such as giving large sums of money to telemarketers
• Withdrawal from work or social activities, and forgetting how to work on a favorite hobby
• Changes in mood and personality, such as becoming angry or fearful for seemingly no reason

“If you notice someone struggling with a familiar task, it’s important to reach out to their healthcare providers,” Boyce said. “Early diagnosis is crucial, as it gives the person living with the disease and their family more time to plan for the future, as well as the opportunity to take advantage of some drugs that can help manage symptoms in the early stage.”

The association offers free educational programs for the general public with advice on recognizing warning signs, how to live a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of developing dementia, information on legal and financial planning and more. Educational programs for those directly affected include advice on managing care throughout the disease, common dementia-related behaviors and how communication changes as the disease progresses. Live programs via Zoom or phone can be found by searching by zip code at alz.org/crf. Pre-recorded educational programs are available anytime at: alz.org/help-support/resources/care-training-resources.

In addition, the Hudson Valley Chapter offers free virtual support groups and social programs for people with dementia and their loved ones that help combat isolation and provide meaningful interactions. Social programs include virtual tours of museums and other destinations as well as virtual concerts and interactive sessions featuring music, art, movement and more. For details about when support groups or other social activities are being held, visit alz.org/hudsonvalley or search by zip code at alz.org/crf.

About the Hudson Valley Chapter

The Hudson Valley Chapter serves families living with dementia in seven counties in New York, including Duchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. To learn more about the programs and services offered locally, visit alz.org/hudsonvalley.

About the Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection and maximizing quality care and support. Its vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all dementia. Visit alz.org