Information for Patients and Their Families
This information is intended for patients and their families, making use of links to the website of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a serious brain disorder that is unfortunately quite common. We estimate that about 5 million Americans currently have Alzheimer’s disease. Although symptoms vary considerably from person to person, the first problem experienced by many people is forgetfulness, which worsens over time. As the disease progresses, other symptoms inevitably appear, including disorientation to date and place, difficulty with organizing and planning, trouble with expressing and comprehending language, getting lost in familiar places, and changes in behavior and personality.
“Dementia” is a general term for a loss of memory and other cognitive abilities serious enough to impair daily functioning. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. For more information about other causes of dementia, please see the following link.
There is presently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, there are a number of treatments for the symptoms of the disease as well as services and support that can make like much better for people afflicted with the disease and their families. The Yale ADRU is participating in the worldwide effort to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset, or prevent it from developing.
For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, please visit the website of the Alzheimer’s Association.Caring for Alzheimer's
Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease is not an easy task. But by learning caregiving skills, finding appropriate resources and services, and getting enough emotional support for yourself, you can ensure that your loved one is living a full life. Taking steps to preserve your own well-being is a vital part of this process. Many caregivers find that a support group is very helpful.
Yale ADRU Caregiver Support Group
The Yale ADRU offers a free Caregiver Support Group that meets monthly from 1:00 – 2:00 pm on the first Tuesday of every month in person or on Zoom.
For more information, email Susan DeStefano, APRN or call at 203-764-8100.
If our group is inconvenient for you, please take a look at this list of other support groups in CT.