Statewide Iowa — The approaching holiday season can be the hardest time of the year for many of the 73-thousand Iowans who are caring for a loved one with dementia. Megan Benzing, program manager for the Iowa Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, says they offer a wide array of resources, programs and support groups just for caregivers.
The starting point is the website https://www.alz.org/iowa, and all of the resources are free. There’s also a 24-7 helpline available at 800-272-3900. The cost of putting a loved one in a “memory care” facility can be several thousand dollars a month, so financial constraints can quickly become an issue for someone with dementia, and their family, making caregiving the best option.
The life expectancy after diagnosis often ranges from four to eight years, but she says it can be up to 20 years, based on conditions. Being a caregiver can be particularly stressful and demanding.
A survey found about a third of responding caregivers found themselves in declining health, while more than a quarter said they’d delayed or did not do things they should for their own health. More than six-million people nationwide are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including 66,000 in Iowa.
