Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s from a distance
As more and more municipalities enact “stay at home” orders, more and more family members will be separated from loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease in assisted-living facilities. There are 256,000 unpaid Colorado caregivers who volunteer their time and energy to care for 76,000 Coloradans living with Alzheimer’s, many of them in memory-care facilities that are on lockdown to protect older residents.
Attached is information on what caregivers can do from home to remain connected with Alzheimer’s Association online and telephone resources – all available at no charge.
The Alzheimer’s Association also has ideas for volunteer caregivers – family and friends – on how they can stay connected with loved ones living in memory-care facilities, even when they can’t meet face-to-face. These are somewhat nuanced, as they depend on the status of their loved one.
If you would like to speak with an Alzheimer’s Association staff member in your area (we have regional offices in Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Durango, Fort Collins, Grand Junction, Greeley and Pueblo), to discuss how caregivers can maintain those connections with loved ones in memory care, please let me know and I can make connections for you.
Jim Herlihy, Senior Director of Marketing & Communications | Alzheimer’s Association, Colorado Chapter | 455 N. Sherman St | Suite 500 | Denver | CO | 80203 | 720-699-9286 | Cell: 970-590-5885 | Fax 303-813-1670 | alz.org/co |800 272 3900 helpline 24/7
