Free Multnomah County program supports family caregivers living with loved ones who have Alzheimer's disease
A Multnomah County program that provides support to caregivers looking after loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia has been featured in local news stories in The Oregonian and on KOIN Local 6.
The STAR-C program is a free service for Multnomah County residents who serve as family caregivers living with their afflicted loved ones. Case managers work with clients to manage stress, and come up with strategies that decrease difficult behaviors and increase pleasant times together.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association's national report, 2010 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, nearly 15 million Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers provide 17 billion hours of unpaid care valued at $202 billion. Caregivers are vulnerable to their own health issues because of the emotional and physical demands from prolonged caregiving. About one-third of caregivers report symptoms of depression.
The program addresses: sadness/depression, anxiousness/worry, sleep issues, resistance to care, wandering, verbal/physical aggression and social isolation.
For more information about the program, or to see if you are eligible, contact Bethany Chamberlin at 503-988-3620 ext. 22020 or bethany.chamberlin@multco.us.
Media coverage:
Oregonian story and video