Prepare for Alzheimer’s with a personal emergency response system
October 19, 2010
This coming month is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and FOXNews.com recommends that this can be an important time for baby boomers to reflect on their options for living at home.
The news source recommends that some may want to prepare by making arrangements for the onset of memory loss, because one in eight people have Alzheimer’s disease and, by 2030, an estimated 3.5 million of seniors 85 and older will have the condition.
The first step is to discuss this eventual possibility with children, rather than hide any physical or emotional discomfort. This can help families prepare for the future and ensure that the outcome is the best for everyone.
Future caregiving responsibilities should also be outlined. Many boomers may want their children to look after them, but family caretakers are often highly stressed and overwhelmed, so it may be better to look into home healthcare agencies.
Some may also want to invest in a personal life alert system, a device which can send a medical alert to family, neighbors or doctors in the case of an unexpected injury or condition. This way, older adults can live independently and safely in their own homes.
