Where do your Contributions Go?
 

The Alzheimer’s Association is the only national voluntary health organization dedicated to research for the causes, cures, treatments and preventions of Alzheimer’s disease and to providing education and support services to Alzheimer’s patients, their families and caregivers. The Greater Pennsylvania Chapter provides services to individuals, families and health professionals, and serving 57 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties this past year.  The work of the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter is funded largely by individual donors, corporations and private foundations who share our important mission.

In 2004, funds contributed to the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter supported:

• Helpline – 6,210 calls were received by this direct service which provides personal assistance, specialized information and referrals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through a toll-free number and calls to regional offices;

• Educational Programs – 531 Chapter programs were held including, among others:

  • Getting Started, a free, two-hour orientation session for families of persons newly diagnosed;

  • Family Caregiver Series, a four-part series that covers such topics as legal issues, communication techniques, behavior management, community resources, long-term planning and the latest medical and research information; 

  • Dementia Training Institute, a six-hour professional training which discusses family issues, provides skill training in communication and understanding challenging behaviors;

  • Disability Awareness Training for health and community professionals, law enforcement officials, emergency medical personnel and community providers to help them recognize and appropriately deal with people with dementia; 

  • Dementia-Specific Training for staff of personal care and nursing facilities, adult day care providers, hospitals and providers of community services to the aging;

  • Safe Return Training and Enrollment to educate public service officials about the national Alzheimer’s Association program which assists in the return of persons with Alzheimer’s disease who wander and become lost, and to facilitate enrollment of individuals in the program;

  • Educational Conferences in which experts in the field of Alzheimer’s and related dementias share the most up-to-date information with professionals and lay people;

  • Community Programs for caregivers and others which focus on recognizing the early signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia, seeking diagnosis and appropriate treatment and accessing community resources.

• Support Groups in 170 locations which meet monthly for a total of 1,992 meetings last fiscal year in which caregivers learn valuable tips and techniques to better care for both their family member and themselves while gaining vital support to cope with caregiving; each Support Group typically has 10-20 members;

• Family Services, the Chapter program  which identifies unmet needs, helps families locate services in their community, and assists with family conflicts or crisis situations, served 445 individuals and families through care consultations;

• Chapter Newsletter, distributed quarterly to nearly 25,000 individuals, families and care providers, as an excellent resource for information about Alzheimer’s disease, Helpline, current research, caregiving guidance, and Chapter programs and services; 

• Chapter Website, www.alzpa.org, is available for family and professional caregivers who can access Chapter information at any time of the day or night; the Website is currently averaging more than 600 hits per day;

• Resource Centers in five locations throughout the state offer diagnosed individuals and caregivers the opportunity to  further educate themselves and their families with books, video and audio tapes, research papers and pamphlets available on loan;

• Public Policy and Advocacy activities at the federal, state and local level allow family members and early-stage individuals to further the Association’s major priorities, which are increased research funding, Medicare reform and enhanced long-term support; 

• Volunteers throughout the Chapter territory who donate their time and talent in support of the program, service and fundraising activities of the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter.

The Helpline Program is the most crucial service provided by the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter.  This program, received 6,210 calls from family members and other caregivers across the state last year.  To meet the needs of our constituents, we have expanded the staffing and availability of the Chapter program.  In addition, we have partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association National Contact Center, providing Pennsylvania residents with easy access to vital Association services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring the high quality of information, recommendations and referrals. 

Special features include our ability to have several family members at different locations participate at the same time through conference call capability.  We can also provide language interpreters if needed. These services can be especially helpful when key decisions are being made.

The Helpline staff members are aware that callers are often in dire need of information, counseling and someone to listen.  The average call will last for 22 minutes, but the staff remains on line for as much as one hour when appropriate in order to be as supportive as possible.  Through the conversation, the Helpline staff member determines the current needs of the caller and prepares a packet of specific information for mailing the same day.  Callers are always encouraged to phone the Helpline again if they have any questions, and to maintain contact with the Chapter during the course of the disease.  Often the Helpline staff member will make a follow-up call to speak with the caregiver or family member and inquire about further assistance that may be necessary.

If you, your family or a friend need information concerning Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias – at any stage of the progression of these conditions – please call the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter Helpline at:

 1-800-272-3900 

Thank you very much for your support of the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter and the important services we provide in 57 counties throughout the state.  There are approximately 250,000 individuals with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia within our territory.  We are here to serve these individuals, their families and caregivers by advancing research and assuring that they have the most useful information, care and support throughout the journey. 

The official registration and financial information of the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Pennsylvania Chapter
may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania,
1-800-732-0999.  Registration does not imply endorsement.