Alzheimer’s Program At Bridgeport Hospital

BRIDGEPORT — Free information on services for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families will be available from experts November 13, 10 am to 3 pm, in the main lobby of Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant Street. It will also be possible to register for the Safe Return Program, which helps Alzheimer’s patients who may become lost.

The November 13 event is being sponsored by Bridgeport Hospital, United Visiting Nurse Association Connecticut Chapter. For information, call the Alzheimer’s Association at 800-356-5502.

Information will be available on the diagnosis and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as support and respite services for caregivers, including United VNA’s patient transportation and free needs assessment programs.

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease that usually begins gradually, causing a person to forget recent events or familiar tasks. How rapidly it advances varies from person to person, but the disease eventually causes confusion, personality and behavior changes, and impaired judgment. Communication becomes difficult as the affected person struggles to find words, finish thoughts, or follow directions. Eventually, most people with Alzheimer’s disease become unable to care for themselves.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated four million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease — one in ten over age 65 and nearly half of those over 85. Caregivers are also affected by the disease. In a national survey, one in ten adult children said they have a family member with Alzheimer’s.