Alzheimer's Support

Around 4 million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Approximately 70 percent of them are cared for at home. Oklahoma County has several organizations that specialize in providing education and emotional support for families living with Alzheimer's. Also available are respite programs for caregivers and safe return devices for wandering patients.

• Alzheimer's Association of Central Oklahoma
  Call for time and location of county-wide meetings. Provides support to caregivers and families of Alzheimer's patients. Also provides ID bracelets to help identify wandering patients.
  Call toll free (800) 272-3900, or locally (405) 319-0780
  
  
• Project "Life Saver"
  A service of Sunbeam Family Services, "Life Savers" are a bracelet-style transmitting device for wandering seniors. Signal can be activated to enable law enforcement to assist in safe recovery. No cost for patients age 60 and over.
  Call (405) 528-7721
  
  
• Senior Companion Program
  Sponsored by Sunbeam Family Services, Inc., senior companions are retired men and women who provide compassionate non-medical assistance to homebound seniors on regularly scheduled visits. No charge for services.

  Senior companions are healthy older adults who help other adults live independently. They provide several hours per week of on-site support to frail elderly clients who may need assistance with tasks such as grocery shopping, light housekeeping, meal preparation, grooming and correspondence. There is no charge for this program. Here are some comments from families who have benefited from having Senior Companions assist their loved ones:
  
  "I would like you to know that if it had not been for your services and the assistance of Mary, I could not have kept my mother in our home."
  
  "I was low and depressed after my husband's death. Connie came and picked me up with laughter and joy. She made me feel like life was worth living again."
  
  "Dad looks forward to his visits from Larry, who coaxed him into being more active and taking walks again when we couldn't get him out of bed!"

  Call (405) 528-7721
  
  
• Oklahoma Respite Resource Network (ORRN)
  Provides vouchers to help caregivers hire an individual of their choice to provide respite (temporary relief) care in the patient's home.
  Call toll free (800) 426-2747