Extra Support Alzheimer’s Foundation offers virtual resources to those impacted by COVID-19 BY KAMALA KIRK People with Alzheimer’s disease and their families are facing additional challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Individuals living with Alzheimer’s-related illnesses are more vulnerable to contracting the virus due to their age and underlying health conditions, while the people who care for them are experiencing increased levels of stress. To help those affected by COVID-19, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is offering complimentary virtual resources to provide support to those in need, ensuring that they remain physically and mentally active during these times of social distancing and isolation. “Our programs and services have been virtual since March 17,” says Charles J. Fuschillo Jr., CEO of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. “We have close to 65 different virtual programs. We’ve been sending out email blasts informing people about our offerings, and we’ve reached almost 200,000 people through our social
Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. is the CEO of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. (Photo courtesy Alzheimer’s Foundation of America)
media channels.” AFA’s helpline is open seven days a week and staffed by licensed social workers who provide guidance and information on everything from coronavirus prevention tips
to how to care for loved ones. The website includes live chat and email options and can translate into 90 languages. “We don’t want language or economics to be barriers to anyone who needs our support services,” Fuschillo says. “We’ve received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from individuals who tell us they need our services. The calls to our helpline have increased tenfold.” AFA’s virtual therapeutic programs have been a huge hit and help participants stay physically and mentally active. These are offered daily in topics such as music, art, dance, yoga and exercise. They are held on Facebook Live, but the videos remain posted on AFA’s Facebook and YouTube channels, where they can be viewed any time. AFA’s website lists the full schedule of daily programs offered. “We offer lots of fun classes and fitness activities that will energize anyone’s day,” Fuschillo says. “Some of our popular programs include mindful meditation, disco-funk chair fitness, and a concert where Broadway singers perform songs from famous shows. We also host webinars in various topics, like how to delay and prevent cognitive decline.” AFA offers free weekly, telephone-based support groups that are facilitated by licensed social workers dedicated to help-
ing families during COVID-19. On Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. (ET) there is a support for family members whose loved ones reside in a care setting and on Fridays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. (ET) AFA offers a therapeutic program on resolving conflicts in family interactions. Support groups for caregivers are offered on Mondays and Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m. (ET), offering a place to connect and share with one another. “Reducing stress is very important for caregivers,” Fuschillo shares. “Don’t overload on the news, clear and refresh your mind with music or exercise, and be adaptive and positive to the change that is going on. We always encourage people to follow public health guidelines and prioritize self-care to avoid burnout.” Another piece of advice Fuschillo has for those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease is to maintain the same schedule they were on prior to the pandemic. Help them feel connected by setting up phone or video chats with loved ones and keep them active with different activities, including AFA’s virtual programs. “We’re going to continue to be creative and innovative with our programs,” Fuschillo says. “We’re grateful to those that support us, and whenever someone makes a donation on our website, 88 cents goes to our programs and services; 100% of every donation designated for research goes exclusively towards finding a more effective treatment and a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.” For more information, visit alzfdn.org.
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