"If you’ve met one person with Alzheimer’s disease, you’ve met just one person with Alzheimer’s disease." - David Troxel, Executive Director Alzheimer’s Association, Santa Barbara Chapter Recognizing that dementia of any type does not erase a person’s individuality is fundamental to creating a program of care and support for a person who has dementia. Consequently, there is no one-size-fits-all program. However, there are now resources for designing individualized care programs that did not exist until recently. Because Alzheimer’s/dementia is now something of an epidemic, the support resources are expanding in proportion to the prevalence of the disease. The Alzheimer’s Association Because the Alzheimer’s Association is always in the vanguard of everything related to Alzheimer’s, I strongly recommend that the Association be the first resource care providers investigate. The Alzheimer’s Association national information number is 800-272-3900. The Alzheimer’s Association Web site is: www.alz.org. Local chapters are listed in the phone book under "Alzheimer’s Association." They will send an information packet - my packet from the Association arrived twenty-four hours after I called. There are dozens of chapters of the National Alzheimer’s Association, many chapters in every state. The resources and compassionate support that are available through this remarkable organization are outstanding. Many of the volunteers have had firsthand experience with Alzheimer’s in their families. Speaking with someone who understands is tremendously reassuring. The Alzheimer’s Association’s Services Include · Community Resources - A directory of programs in your area for respite or day care · Counseling · Family Education · Helpline · Library - Alzheimer’s-related books, tapes, and videos · Support Groups · Special Seminars - Instruction for caregivers For More Information To find out more about David, Marilyn, and Dancing on Quicksand: Email: mitchell@DancingOnQuicksand.com Fax: 303-433-5058 Mail: 1130 Milwaukee Street, Denver, CO 80206 Published by Johnson Books Email: books@jpcolorado.com Phone: 800-258-5830 Mail: 1880 South 57th Court, Boulder, CO 80301 ISBN: 1-55566-321-4 © 2002 - 2018 Marilyn Mitchell - Web site created by Brian Cruce