From Perspectives to Struggles, Alzheimer's Family Caregivers Find
Strength in Sharing
KENSINGTON, Md., Feb. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- A new online
video series from the Caregiver Action Network (CAN), formerly the
National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), paints a picture of
the common experiences of America's diverse Alzheimer's disease
family caregivers. The video series, which launches today, reveals
common struggles and stresses, and provides insights. This
practical series is sponsored by Forest Laboratories and will be
available through CAN's online resource center at
www.caregiveraction.org.
To view the multimedia assets associated with this release,
please visit:
http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60039-caregiver-action-network-online-video-series-alzheimers
The video series responds to needs identified in a survey
fielded last year of more than 600 Alzheimer's family
caregivers. Results showed that the majority of caregivers
are not getting the stress relief they need from their support
networks, and many are seeking tips, from information on how to be
a more effective caregiver (74%) to ways they can better
communicate with family and friends about the patient (65%).
"When Alzheimer's disease strikes, it's not just the patient who
is affected. The disease invades the lives and homes of families
and friends who must provide care," said John Schall, CEO of CAN. "This new video
series is an important tool for reaching Alzheimer's caregivers in
a way that fits their busy lives. That is why we created a
series of short segments that can be watched all at once or
individually, to help provide caregivers with inspiration,
perspective and advice whenever they can find a few minutes
throughout the day."
CAN's online resource center features video vignettes exploring
different topics with family caregivers from Philadelphia, Houston and Los Angeles. Topics include:
Discovering Alzheimer's Disease, Life as a Caregiver,
Caregiver Tactics and Finding Support.
The series also includes insights from a long-term family
caregiver of three decades, Suzanne
Mintz and Gustavo Alva MD,
DFAPA, Medical Director of ATP Clinical Research in Costa Mesa, CA, who treats Alzheimer's
patients. "Every day in my practice, I see the incredible
challenges, tough decisions and stresses that Alzheimer's family
caregivers must face," said Dr. Alva. "That's why it's
important for them to have a good working relationship with their
loved one's doctor. Caregivers should know that doctors can
be a key resource, from educating them on FDA-approved treatments
for all stages of the disease to providing information on local
support groups and caregiving services."
An estimated 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease and
are being cared for by nearly 15 million unpaid
caregivers—including family, friends, partners, and neighbors.
Often the equivalent of a full-time job, 80 percent of at-home care
for people with Alzheimer's or another dementia is provided by
family caregivers.
Caregivers can find more information on how to communicate with
their loved ones and others involved in the patient's care at
www.caregiveraction.org.
About Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is a
progressive, neurodegenerative disorder characterized by problems
with memory, thinking, and behavior that eventually become severe
enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies, and social life. Every 68
seconds, someone in the United
States develops Alzheimer's disease. The disease is the
sixth leading cause of death in the
United States. Alzheimer's-associated healthcare costs are
also projected to increase from $200
billion in 2012 to $1.1
trillion by 2050.
About the Caregiver Survey
GfK Roper Public Affairs
& Corporate Communications conducted the online study on behalf
of Caregiver Action Network (CAN) and Forest Laboratories, Inc. The
survey was conducted among 674 Alzheimer's disease (AD) caregivers
between March 28 and April 25, 2011,
including oversamples to reach 100 African-American and 100
Hispanic AD caregivers in the total sample. The results are
weighted by age, race, and education to reflect the population of
Alzheimer's disease caregivers.
About Caregiver Action Network
The Caregiver Action
Network is the nation's leading family caregiver organization
working to improve the quality of life for the more than 65 million
Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions,
disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age. CAN
serves a broad spectrum of family caregivers ranging from the
parents of children with special needs, to the families and friends
of wounded soldiers, from a young couple dealing with a diagnosis
of MS, to adult children caring for parents with Alzheimer's
disease. CAN (formerly the National Family Caregivers
Association) is a non-profit organization providing education, peer
support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free
of charge. To learn more, visit www.caregiveraction.org.
About Forest Laboratories, Inc.
Forest Laboratories'
(NYSE: FRX) long-standing global partnerships and track record
developing and marketing pharmaceutical products in the United States have yielded its
well-established central nervous system and cardiovascular
franchises and innovations in anti-infective and respiratory
medicine. The Company's pipeline, the most robust in its history,
includes product candidates in all stages of development across a
wide range of therapeutic areas. The Company is headquartered in
New York, NY. To learn more,
visit www.FRX.com.
Contact:
Danielle Al-Hamdouni
Fleishman-Hillard
(212) 453-2341
Danielle.AlHamdouni@fleishman.com
SOURCE Caregiver Action Network