As a champion member organization of the Alzheimer’s Early Detection Alliance, or AEDA, we set out to educate our employees and the the public about the importance of the 10 warning signs and early detection of Alzheimer’s.  We also agree to take an additional step and educate our family members, customers and the public, for example, by providing information on our web site and sharing resources in communities and at conferences we host.

With that in mind, we wanted to share a recent article that was shared with us by the Alzheimer’s Association about a new feature on their website.  In September, the Alzheimer’s Association® launched “I Have Alzheimer’s Disease,” a 23-page section of alz.org offering information and tools to help those living in the early stage of Alzheimer’s or other dementia live their best life for as long as possible.

In the United States, someone develops Alzheimer’s disease every 68 seconds. At the same time, methods of diagnosis are quickly improving; leaving more people and their families to face a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s in the early stage of the disease.

“I Have Alzheimer’s” was created with input from people living with the disease and provides valuable resources to serve a growing group of individuals diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s. In addition to supporting those with the disease through education, the Web section strives to create a sense of normalcy and validation for its users. An Alzheimer’s diagnosis can feel isolating, but “I Have Alzheimer’s” helps individuals move past that feeling and on to planning, preparing and receiving support.

The site is also a valuable resource for caregivers, family members, or friends of someone with Alzheimer’s. Whether they seek the information for themselves or are looking to empower the person with dementia, “I Have Alzheimer’s” provides a better understanding of the experience of living with the disease and what others are doing to live their best life after diagnosis. Visit “I Have Alzheimer’s” at alz.org/IHaveAlz to learn more.

On March 19, the Alzheimer’s Association^® 2014 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures was released. This annual report reveals the burden Alzheimer’s and dementia places on individuals, caregivers, government and our nation’s health care system, and includes data on the impact of the disease in every state across the nation.

According to the report, the rate at which Americans acquire Alzheimer’s has increased. Every 67 seconds, someone develops this deadly and costly disease, which has devastating effects for the person living with the disease, their family and friends. The publication also highlights the impact the disease has on caregivers in the workplace. In 2013, 75 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers reported being employed full or part time at any time since assuming caregiving responsibilities. Many of these individuals had to make major changes to their work schedules to accommodate these duties. Fifty-four percent said they had to go in late, leave early or take time off, and 15 percent had to take a leave of absence.

Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures also includes a special report, Women & Alzheimer’s, which offers new data on how Alzheimer’s disease impacts women proportionally to men. The report reveals that 60 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers are women, and demonstrates how this role affects their time in the workplace. Twenty percent of women as compared to 3 percent of men went from working full time to part time while serving as a caregiver, and 11 percent of women versus 5 percent of men gave up work entirely.

Other data show the growing financial burden Alzheimer’s is placing on our nation. According to Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures, the total national cost of caring for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias will reach $214 billion in 2014, not including unpaid caregiving provided by family and friends valued at more than $220 billion. Visit alz.org/facts to read the full report and watch a video highlighting the key findings.

From: Assisted Living Federation of America

Minnesota tops the list of healthiest states for older adults for the second consecutive year, according to data compiled by UnitedHealth Foundation for its second America’s Health Rankings Senior Report.

Hawaii is ranked second, followed by New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts. Mississippi ranks 50^th as the least healthy state while Louisiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Arkansas fill out the bottom five slots.

Minnesota cleaned up thanks to ranking first for all health determinants combined, including ranking in the top five states for a high rate of annual dental visits, quality nursing home beds, prescription drug coverage, low percentage of marginal food insecurity and ready availability of home health care workers. Minnesota also ranks second for all health outcomes combined including low hospitalization rate for hip fractures, high percentage of able-bodied seniors, low premature death rate, low prevalence of full-mouth tooth extractions and few poor mental health days per month.

Similar to the top ranked states, the states that rank in the bottom five states for overall health also rank in the bottom five for all health determinants.

Nationally, the 2014 edition said several metrics improved since last year’s inaugural report, including that more seniors are active, pursuing preferred options for end-of-life care, avoiding preventable hospitalizations and having access to improved quality nursing home care. A few measures show challenges to overall health including a decrease in flu vaccination coverage and an increase in food insecurity.

For the past several years, we’ve been writing about what we are thankful for. I’ve asked our Executive Directors to participate, and I’ve asked other staff members to participate in writing this blog.

This year, it’s just me.

I want to express our sincere gratitude to our team that work with us every day. Our communities provide care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t think about how lucky we are to work with such fantastic, and dedicated people. Thank you for all that you do!

To our families who have entrusted their most prized possession to our care, we say thank you. Thank you for believing in our vision and in our team’s ability to take care of your loved one. I hear so many wonderful comments about what you love most about our communities – I wish I could share them all. We may have nice looking buildings, but it always comes back to our staff and how they care for your loved one – and that makes us proud.

Bottom line, we are incredibly fortunate to be in this business and to care for others. We love the people who work with us and we absolutely adore our residents and their families.

We hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Roman Bloemke, Dir of Operations.