Resources for Alzheimer’s Disease, Family Caregivers, and Advance Care Planning

NASW observes National Alzheimer’s Disease Month, National Family Caregivers Month, and National Hospice Month this November. Read on for related resources you can use in your practice.

Access New Interdisciplinary Resource for Alzheimer’s Disease Management

The Alzheimer’s Association has issued the 2008 Guideline for Alzheimer’s Disease Management, available free of charge. This convenient two-page guide addresses assessment, treatment, patient and family education and support, legal considerations, and recommendations for early- and late-stage disease from both medical and psychosocial perspectives. Visit http://www.alz.org/californiasouthland/documents/professional_NATLguideline.pdf  to download the national version of this valuable resource, and http://www.alz.org/californiasouthland/in_my_community_professionals.asp#Clinical_guidelines for background information on the development of the Guideline.

Participate in National Memory Screening Day

NASW is also pleased to support National Memory Screening Day, an initiative of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA). The purpose of this annual observance--scheduled for November 18, 2008—is to promote early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses, and to encourage appropriate intervention for people affected by dementia.
 
AFA collaborates with organizations and health care professionals—including social workers--to provide free, confidential memory screenings, as well as follow-up resources and educational materials to those concerned about memory loss, on National Memory Screening Day. AFA provides a resource packet, including sample screening tools, provider instructions, and publicity materials, to all participating sites. To find out how you or your organization can participate in memory screenings, or to find a site in your community to which you can refer clients, please visit http://www.nationalmemoryscreening.org 

Help Kick Off National Family Caregivers Month

NASW is pleased to endorse National Family Caregivers (NFC) Month, an initiative of the National Family Caregivers Association. Celebrated every November, NFC Month highlights the contributions and needs of the more than 50 million family caregivers who provide over $350 billion in unpaid caregiving services. Celebrating NFC Month in your community can bring attention to your programs and raise awareness about the role of social work in supporting family caregivers. Visit http://thefamilycaregiver.org/national_family_caregiver_month/ to learn more about activities and resources related to NFC Month, including a free Family Caregiver Teleclass (November 6 and 13) to teach family caregivers how to improve their communication with health care professionals and become better health care advocates for themselves and their loved ones. 

Provide Advance Care Planning Materials to Your Clients in 20 Different Languages

Many social workers active in end-of-life care are familiar with the Five Wishes, a document to help people plan for the care they choose to receive in the event of a serious illness or injury. Aging with Dignity, the creator of the Five Wishes, now offers translations of this document in 20 different languages. Visit http://www.agingwithdignity.org/translations.html for more information on how to obtain limited copies of one or more bilingual editions, free of charge.