Home Instead Senior Care Aims To Make Business More Alzheimer's Friendly

Home Instead Senior Care, Northeast Pennsylvania, has launched a new campaign to make the community more Alzheimer's friendly.

The Home Instead Senior Care office will provide free training to local businesses. The training will help equip employees with information and resources needed to welcome families who are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's.

"For many caregivers, the unpredictable nature of the disease can make going out in public with their loved one intimidating. Our research shows that family caregivers might be reluctant to frequent public places because of the behaviors that could be associated with the disease," said, Scott Bohner, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office serving Schuylkill County.

According to the National Institute on Aging, Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.

Home Instead surveyed 692 Alzheimer's family caregivers, who completed an online survey between April 13-23. The survey included 102 from Canada and 590 from the US.

Nearly 74 percent reported that they and their loved ones have become more isolated from the community as a result of the disease. Due to isolation, 85 percent reported that they feel a reduced quality of life.

Alzheimer's Disease International reported that the number of people with dementia worldwide is expected to grow to a staggering 75.6 million by 2030 and 135.5 million in 2050.

"Given the statistics, most businesses that deal with the public will be serving people with Alzheimer's and their families. It's critical that local businesses start working now to build Alzheimer's friendly communities to better serve their customers with Alzheimer's and other dementias," said Bohner.

Source: Medindia