AARP Ohio Hosts Coffee Shop Conversation with Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is a national non-profit organization in the fight to end Alzheimer’s. It currently stands as the largest non-profit funder of Alzheimer’s research. On July 29^th, AARP Ohio will be hosting the Alzheimer’s Association Health Systems Director Amy Boehm and Program Director Pam Meyers in a virtual coffee shop conversation. The discussion will focus on research, caregiving, early detection, and early prevention.

AARP Ohio and the Alzheimer’s Association are aligned in their focuses on brain health and caregiving. The Alzheimer’s Association 2021 Facts and Figures report proves how prevalent and concerning Alzheimer’s is for Ohio. Per 100,000 Ohioans, 5,234 died as a result of the disease, with a statewide 44.8% mortality rate. Furthermore, there is a projected 13.6% increase in cases for Ohioans 65+ from 2020 to 2025. Family caregivers take an incredibly large part in caring for those affected. The data shows 442,000 Ohioans taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Altogether, they provided 590,000,000 hours of unpaid care, which would be valued at $9,633,000.

AARP Ohio and the Alzheimer’s Association believe in the need for training caregivers of those with dementia. In Ohio, 37.8% of these caregivers reported at least one chronic health condition. 13.6% of these caregivers reported depression. 16.1% of these caregivers even reported frequently poor physical health. Caregiving for Alzheimer’s and dementia takes a tremendous toll on the state’s caregivers. It is critical that these caregivers receive the proper help they need.

Last year, Ohio created an 11-person Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia Task Force—including AARP Ohio Statewide Advocacy Volunteer Lead Diane Pekunka (read her story here). The group is tasked with the formation of an Alzheimer’s State Plan that would better provide care and early detection to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Find AARP’s resources and stories about Alzheimer’s and Dementia here. Find resources from the Alzheimer’s Association here. Register here for AARP Ohio’s Alzheimer’s Coffee Shop Conversation featuring Amy Boehm and Pam Meyers.