Free Alzheimer’s Training Available in all 50 States to Support Family Caregivers<br />Alzheimer’s disease is a fatal, progressive and degenerative disease that destroys brain cells. It is the most common form of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. Symptoms include having difficulty remembering things, making decisions and performing everyday activities. These changes can affect the way a person feels and acts. There is currently no way to stop the disease, but research is improving the way provide care and will continue to search for a cure.<br />Americans fear developing Alzheimer’s disease more than any other major life-threatening disease, including cancer, stroke, heart disease and diabetes according to OMAHA, Neb. – November 13, 2012 – Home Instead Senior Care®, the world’s leading provider of home care services for seniors, announced new survey results.<br /><br />More than 1,200 Americans was designed to gain perspective on the most pressing concerns associated with Alzheimer’s, including diagnosis and the difficulties of caring for a loved one with the disease, according to the survey of Marist Institute for Public Opinion<br />.<br />According to Jeff Huber, president and chief operating officer of Home Instead, Inc. “The survey confirmed what our franchise owners had been hearing from their clients and their families – the majority of Americans feel unprepared to care for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. The need for support and education for these families is critical.”<br />Additional survey highlights include: <br /><br />Nearly two-thirds of Americans (63 percent) have had a personal experience with someone with Alzheimer’s and/or a serious memory loss problem.<br /><br />61 percent of Americans feel unprepared to care for a loved one diagnosed with the disease.<br /><br />If diagnosed with the disease, Americans most fear the inability to care for oneself, and burdening others (68 percent); followed by losing memory of life and loved ones (32 percent).<br /><br />A plurality of Americans – 44 percent – cites the illness as their most feared disease compared to 33 percent who cite cancer.<br /><br />More than other generations, a majority of Americans over 65 years of age (the silent/greatest generation) – 56 percent – fear an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.<br /><br />When asked if it would be harder to receive an Alzheimer’s diagnosis or care for someone with the disease, Americans are equally split down the middle, 50/50.
