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Specially designed caregiver assistance program offers hope & help to family members of Alzheimer’s patients

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia can be overwhelming for family and friends. Broward Health North’s (BHN) Memory Disorder Center hosts a Care Assistance Program (CAP) that helps caregivers deal with everyday concerns of caring for a loved one with a degenerative neurological condition.
 
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, caregivers often struggle to balance the demands of a loved one’s care with their own physical and emotional needs. With family members living longer, more adult children are assuming the responsibilities of caring for aging parents who are unable to function independently.
 
The Memory Disorder Center, the first in the nation to attain Joint Commission Certification for Alzheimer’s disease, designed the CAP program to teach caregivers about the disease process and to accept the memory and cognitive losses resulting from the progression of the disease. During the classes, speakers discuss behavior strategies, stress management, legal issues, medications, day care, home health, placement options, and Medicaid and veteran’s benefits. Attendees meet and interact with others facing similar challenges, which can reduce stress and assist in coping with the lifestyle changes that come with being a caregiver.
 
There are two programs offered at BHN’s Memory Disorder Center. The DayCAP, a 16-hour program, is for spouses, siblings, other relatives and friends who are providing care to a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementia. The NightCAP, a 12-hour program, is for adult children and working caregivers who are unable to attend the day classes.
 
After participating in the initial CAP course, weekly support groups are available to offer additional guidance, friendship and understanding.
 
The Memory Disorder Center is an outpatient diagnostic facility offering a multidisciplinary approach to determine the cause of memory impairment.
 
Both classes are held in the Neuro-Resource Center at Broward Health North and are open to the community. Registration is mandatory. For CAP class information and schedule, call the Memory Disorder Center at (954) 786-7392. Transportation and in-home respite are available.
 
Additional support groups include:
• Spouses and Children of Those With Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Dementia
Tuesdays, 10:30 am – 12 pm
Location: Neuro Resource Center
For more information, call (954) 786-7392
 
• Adult Children of Those With Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Dementia
Second and Fourth Tuesday of the month, 6 pm – 8 pm
Location: Neuro Resource Center
For more information, call (954) 786-7392