Learning Objectives
In this section, the student will:
- Define Cognitive Impairment
- Explain how cognitive impairment may effect the client / family
- Identify strategies and resources to support the client / family
- Identify community resources available to the client / family
Resources
- Cognitive Impairment: A Call for Action, Now!; from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Caregivers for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Face Special Challenges; from the Alzheimer’s Association
- Caring for a Person with Alzheimer’s Disease: Your Easy-to-Use Guide; from the National Institute on Aging
- Ten Real-Life Strategies for Dementia Caregiving; from the Family Caregiver Alliance
- Support for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers – How to Get the Caregiving Help You Need; from Helpguide.org
- Caregiver Resources; from US Department of Health and Human Resources
SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES
- The Eldercare Locator helps find help on a variety of subjects and can be filtered by topic area or geographic location.
- The Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 Helpline provides information and support to people with memory loss, caregivers, health care professionals, and the public at 1-800-272-3900.
- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can help you find help near your home via their zip code locator or their Caregiver Support Line when caring for a veteran.
- NIH’s Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center can be contacted five days a week via phone at 1-800-438-4380 or via email at adear@nia.nih.gov.
- The Alzheimer’s Foundation’s toll-free hotline provides information and counseling by licensed social workers and can refer you to community resources across the nation.
- The Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 Helpline is available to caregivers, families and individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
- WebMD’s Alzheimer’s Disease Health Center has an overview of types of support services and counseling options for people affected by the disease.
- The National Institutes of Health has a guide that offers practical advice for caregiving at all stages, including how to cope with changes in personality and communication, making your home safe, where to get help, medical decisions, and coping with the last stages of the disease.
- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Caregiver Support Line can provide assistance when caring for a veteran and connect you with a local Caregiver Support Coordinator.
- Caregiver’s Guide to Understanding Dementia Behaviors