Grace Advertising & Consulting, Inc.

- 11 - accessHealthNews.net Fall Special Edition 2021 Volume 8 | Issue No. 49 A breakout session during the Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA) Get Link'd 2021 Conference highlighted the unique challenges faced by those living with dementia and their caregivers. "Community Supports for People Impacted by Dementia" provided an in-depth look at dementia and Alzheimer's across Missouri and the assistance available to help caregivers bear the weight of dementia-related changes. The session was moderated by MRHA mobility management coordinator Sandra Morris, and featured presenters Amy Sobrino from Memory Care Home Solutions (MCHS) and Ben Molina from the Alzheimer's Association (AA) Greater Missouri Chapter. Amy Sobrino, MSW, LCSW, started with MCHS in 2014 as a graduate practicum intern providing education to caregivers. After earning her Master of Social Work degree from St. Louis University, she is now a social worker at MCHS providing customized training and support to people with dementia, their loved ones, and their caregivers. She and her family also operate Effingham Area Alzheimer's Awareness, a not- for-profit organization in central Illinois providing education and support for families, caregivers, and people affected by Alzheimer's and dementia. Ben Molina, MSW, earned his Masters of Social Work degree from Washington University in St. Louis. He now serves as client services manager for AA Greater Missouri Chapter, providing confidential support and information to people living with dementia, caregivers, and the public. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ALZHEIMER'S AND DEMENTIA? Molina began the presentation by posing a true or false statement to the virtual audience: Alzheimer's is a normal part of aging. "I chose to ask this because it is one of the most common myths surrounding Alzheimer's disease today," he said, noting the mixed poll results. Dementia is an umbrella term that describes a group of symptoms associated with a decline in memory, reasoning, and other skills. This can also include a decline in someone's ability to function in day-to-day life. There are many different types of dementia, as well as many conditions that cause it, including Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's is a progressive brain disease with unique structures thought to damage and kill nerve cells. "While these topics are related, there are important differences between the two," Molina said. "Alzheimer's is actually one of the most common causes of dementia. It accounts for approximately 60-80% of all dementia cases." DEMENTIA IN MISSOURI "We know that Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are impacting families here in Missouri," Molina said. As of 2020, over 100,000 individuals over age 65 in Missouri are living with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. This number is expected to increase to an estimated 130,000 within the next five years. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death. The disease directly impacts the number of hospitalizations and ER visits we see and raises the cost of Medicaid. Data from 2018 showed 1,530 emergency department visits per 1,000 people with dementia. Dementia patients also saw a hospital readmission rate of 22.6%. In 2020, the Medicaid costs of caring for people with Alzheimer's grew to $973 million – a number expected to increase 16.8% by 2025. In 2020, Missouri caregivers provided over 292 million hours of unpaid care, despite 64.1% having chronic health conditions of their own. "Many caregivers do it out of the goodness of their hearts and some are just put in that position," Molina said. "An early diagnosis of Alzheimer's and dementia is extremely important because it can open a range of benefits for that individual," Molina continued. "These benefits include access to treatment options, opportunity to participate in clinical trials, opportunity to prioritize their health, and more time to plan for the future." Warning Signs of Dementia* • Memory loss that disrupts daily life. • Challenges in planning or solving problems such as managing finances or paying bills when they've never previously had an issue. • Difficulty completing familiar tasks or using items such as phones, remote controls, or even microwaves. • Confusion with time and place, such as forgetting appointments they normally wouldn't. • Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. • New problems with words in speaking or writing. • Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. • Decreased or poor judgement. • Withdrawal from work or social activities. • Changes in mood or personality. *Via the Alzheimer's Association; While this list can be helpful for families with seniors, it is not intended to assess or diagnose.

• Cover