Those who help care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease have been recognized by a Alabama Department of Senior Services’ program and grant recently.

The ADSS REACH Intervention Project won the 2007 Rosalynn Carter Leadership in Caregiving Award.

In June, ADSS held REACH training for Caregiver Coordinators and Medicaid Elderly and Disabled Waiver Case Managers at the University of Alabama’s Center for Mental Health and Aging. The training allows employees in each Area Agency of Aging to implement components of the REACH Program statewide.

Furthermore an Alzheimer’s education pilot program was inspired from the REACH Program. However, the program focuses on training caregivers in classes of 12 at local senior centers. The Alzheimer’s/REACH Program is being implemented through the Alabama Cares Program, funded by a grant from the ADSS.

The execution of the pilot program for caregivers is through Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments. The purpose of the grant-funded program is to educate family caregivers for Alzheimer’s patients said TARCOG Area Agency on Aging, Alabama Cares Program Coordinator, Gloria Goldman.

In Limestone County, TARCOG contracted with Caring Senior Services and Athens-Limestone Foundation for Aging to implement the program in the community, she said.

The grant calls for two sessions of six classes to be held at a senior center. The classes are held at Athens Senior Center. Classes include, an overview of Alzheimer’s disease, caregiver health, communicating with the care recipient, dealing with wondering, managing a hostile care recipient, and the care recipient environment and legal issues.

The communicating with the care recipient class incorporates a “Virtual Dementia Tour,” created by P.K. Beville of Second Wind Dreams.

“It’s really good. One of the hardest things in taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s disease is understanding what’s inside their head,” Goldman said.

Adult day care is provided for caregivers while they attend class, either through Respite at home or at the senior center.

It is possible for the grant program to become a permanent program if the Alabama Department for Senior Services funds it from federal funding, Goldman said.

The first session is already taking place in Limestone County. There are slots for 12 caregivers for the next session scheduled to begin on June 12.

Any caregiver interested in the Alzheimer’s/REACH pilot program can contact Goldman at the regional TARCOG office at 1-800-243-5463.