By Liza Berger, Staff Writer
Meals on Wheels Association of America (http://www.mowaa.org):
Provides meal services to people in need. It provides one hot
meal per day to seniors. Has recently expanded into rural
communities.
Rural Caregiving and Alzheimer’s
Geographic isolation and low population density make general
caregiving a hurdle in rural areas of the country. Taking care
of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias has its own set
of difficulties. Thankfully, in many regions, programs are
available to help caregivers cope better.
Dealing with dementia is no small feat—even in urban and
suburban areas of the country. The disease, which may afflict as
many as 5.2 million Americans, currently has no cure and is
characterized by a loss of or decline in memory and other
cognitive abilities. The onset of Alzheimer’s-dementia typically
begins with forgetfulness, apathy and depression. Later symptoms
include impaired judgment, confusion, and changes in personality
and behavior. The disease eventually results in the complete
loss of functional, behavioral and cognitive functions.
Informal caregivers provide the majority of care for persons
with Alzheimer’s disease around the country. Spouses and family
members who assume this responsibility not only have to deal
with the physical demands, but the emotional strain as well.
“There are challenges in dealing with a person who cannot
direct their own day, to feed themselves, to dress themselves,
and who might be engaged in unsafe behavior,” explained Katie
Maslow, director of policy development for the Alzheimer’s
Association.
Rural Challenges
One of the most glaring problems facing rural caregivers of
people with Alzheimer’s is the shortage of caregiving
professionals. These include primary care physicians, as well as
mental and behavioral health specialists.The shortage of mental
health workforce professionals is among the most significant
challenges rural communities face, according to “The 2004 Report
to the Secretary: Rural Health and Human Service Issues.” The
National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
published this report. In 2003, 74 percent of 1,196 federally
designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas were
located in rural counties.
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