Introduction
Alzheimer’s is a disease that changes millions of lives in a short period, influencing their memories, attitudes towards the world around, and relationships with people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018), more than five million Americans live with Alzheimer at the moment. There is no definite, effective cure for this disease to be offered to patients. Treatment plans include mental function maintenance and management of behavioral symptoms.
Therefore, people find it necessary to establish various organizations and programs to support people with Alzheimer’s and their families. Today, there are many local and national resources for the chosen illness group, and this report will focus on some of them that are preferable for the citizens of Miami, Florida. The evaluation of specific services, fees, and eligibility criteria in the Alzheimer’s Association, the Department of Elder Affairs (State Florida), and the Alliance for Aging will help to discover their potential advantages and disadvantages for Alzheimer’s vulnerable populations.
Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is one of the leading national resources for people who have Alzheimer’s and are afraid of being vulnerable due to this disease because of family history or other provoking symptoms. This voluntary, donor-sponsored organization was founded in 1980 for people who face the challenge of Alzheimer’s in their lives. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s through research advancement, enhance care for vulnerable populations, and reduce the risks of dementia (Alzheimer’s Association, 2018).
There is free nationwide 24/7 Helpline in the organization that makes care and support available to people in need regardless of their age, income, and nationality. The improvement of the quality of life for people who live with Alzheimer’s and their families is the goal that cannot be neglected. In addition to support and care, this resource is sued for training and education.
Funding and volunteer sponsorship create more opportunities to provide patients with individual care plans and continue contributing to research. The encouragement of legislative reforms and the development of new programs and initiatives involve the participation of new people. The major advantage of the Alzheimer’s Association is the intention to focus on care and research (Alzheimer’s Association, 2018). On the one hand, people have to feel themselves protected and supported by a professional team of caregivers.
On the other hand, society needs to know about investigations to find out the cure for Alzheimer’s continue. The Alzheimer’s Association offers free counseling that may be its disadvantage because many people would like to ask for help, making this procedure time-consuming. Still, it is better to have such an option to get prepared for the worst outcomes of Alzheimer’s, understand the peculiarities of care, and strengthen family relationships and self-confidence.
Department of Elder Affairs
The Department of Elder Affairs (State Florida) is a local non-profit organization that can be helpful for people who have Alzheimer’s and their families. Its vision is that all Floridians have the right to age with dignity, purpose, and independence (Department of Elder Affairs, n.d.). Specific services that can be offered by the department include an appropriate assessment of population needs, protection of vulnerable people and their families, promotion of compassion and awareness, and the establishment of state statutory requirements. This organization focuses on various diseases and health-related problems and initiatives to make sure that the elderly have equal chances to enjoy their lives (Department of Elder Affairs, n.d.).
The Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative is one of the programs of the department to meet the needs of people who experience changes because of Alzheimer’s. To be eligible to receive care services, individuals must be more than 18 years of age with a diagnosis of (or be suspected of having) Alzheimer’s or another memory-related disorder. Caregivers of patients who meet the eligibility criteria can ask for professional training and support services to be able to care for people with Alzheimer’s.
There is no right or wrong time to ask for help to the Department of Elder Affairs. It is impossible to be prepared for all the forms of the disease under analysis. This organization offers volunteer help to manage patients’ behaviors, find out specialized medical equipment, counsel, support, and train (Department of Elder Affairs, n.d.). Such a diversity of services is the advantage of the resource, and the absence of enough space for research is its disadvantage that is going to be improved with time.
Alliance for Aging
Compared to other national and community resources, the Alliance for Aging is a relatively young non-profit organization, the goal of which is to provide care and support for the elderly and their families. Its services vary, including personal and adult day care, transportation, legal help, home delivery of products and medications, recreation, education, counseling, and training (Alliance for Aging, n.d.). A person older than 60 years is eligible to ask for services from the Alliance for Aging. However, there are several additional programs and initiatives in terms of which additional eligibility requirements may be defined.
For example, as well as in any other organization, the age of caregivers and family members of people with age-related disorders does not matter. This facility uses its funds from different organizations to provide people with the necessary help and care using its own resources and skills. Specific contract and fiscal monitors are used to control the quality of services and ensure customer satisfaction.
A variety of initiatives that can be offered to those who choose the Alliance for Aging impresses. Alzheimer’s challenges the elderly in different ways, and this facility predicts potential threats and makes patients and their families prepared for changes. Sometimes, unpredictable needs may confuse a person with a mental health disorder, and it is normal for a family to address for help. The Alliance for Aging is not only an official community resource of information and support but a place where understanding and counseling can be found out.
Conclusion
In general, each of the chosen community and national resources has its strong and weak aspects. When people seek these organizations and services, they may face certain advantages and disadvantages. For example, nowadays, it is not difficult to find enough information about these resources online and gather opinions to make a final decision. However, their accessibility, advertisement, and variety may confuse.
A person with Alzheimer’s will hardly understand what kind of help should be asked. Therefore, more attention to families of patients must be paid. Alzheimer’s is not only a disease but fate that cannot be avoided. People should learn how to live with it, and such organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association, the Department of Elder Affairs, and the Alliance for Aging are appropriate choices for millions of families with vulnerable populations in Florida.
References
Alliance for Aging. (n.d.). The Alliance for aging: About us. Web.
Alzheimer’s Association. (2018). Alzheimer’s association annual report: Fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018). Web.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Alzheimer’s disease. Web.
Department of Elder Affairs. (n.d.). About the department of elder affairs. Web.