As you may know, November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. While researchers are working hard to find a cure, we must do what we can to educate and support professional and family care partners.

 

I am pleased to share a wonderful new resource offered by the Greater Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. The booklet is intended for families and other decision makers for people with dementia who live in nursing homes and other residential care facilities.

 

The booklet was produced by the Alzheimer’s Association–Greater Illinois Chapter as part of a grant project known as Palliative Care for Advanced Dementia, which was generously funded by the Retirement Research Foundation. The association has three main goals for the booklet, which are:

  • To prepare you to ask questions and receive honest answers about changes which typically occur over the course of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
  • To familiarize you with principles of comfort care and your role in decisions affecting your loved one’s comfort.
  • To enable you to feel connected to your loved one despite changes in abilities and needs.

Please share this important information with all who may be in need of it. Thank you for all you do to help make life better for those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

 

A message from the Greater Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association:

 

The Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Illinois Chapter is pleased to offer a free online resource, Encouraging Comfort Care: A Guide for Families of People with Dementia Living in Care Facilities. This 21-page booklet provides useful information to families and staff of long-term care facilities about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, particularly care issues related to the late and final stages.


For families, this guide enables them to make informed choices about a variety of medical decisions they may face on behalf of loved ones with dementia living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other types of care facilities. It will also equip families to ask good questions aimed at obtaining the best care for their loved ones, including a handy checklist of comfort care measures to be discussed with staff members of care facilities. For staff members of long-term care facilities, the guide serves as an important tool for those who wish to educate families and assist them in care planning.


Individuals and organizations are encouraged to disseminate this booklet in electronic and print formats. View and download the free guide.