Doing Good Report / Alzheimer's Association
By: Matt Turner
Updated: January 2, 2012
Inside a small office building in Bentonville is a huge support program for people watching their loved ones slip away. The local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association serves 15 counties and its role is becoming more important as more Natural State natives are diagnosed.
According to Program Director Beckye Clark, about 60-thousand Arkansans are suffering from the disease while 5.4 million people across the country have been diagnosed. She also believes the number of cases will go up as the "Baby Boomer Generation" ages.
It's a grim forecast -- especially when you consider the lack of treatment options and the end result.
"It's among the top ten leading causes of death in the U.S. It's number six," Clark said. "And among the diseases in the top ten, it's the only one that does not have a prevention, a cure or even a slowing."
But there are ways to help and a top priority for the local office is providing care for those who take on the tough role of being a caregiver.
"It's a very stressful situation and often times a caregiver goes downhill before the person they're giving care for," said Clark, who knows first-hand after her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about three years ago.
She says it's that personal connection which makes her so passionate about the cause along with the opportunity to share advice with others regarding ways to communicate with their family members, how to deal with wandering and driving issues along with finances and being power of attorney.
Clark says anyone is welcome to call or stop by the Benton County office to learn more about support groups and free resources. She also encourages people to volunteer or participate in charity events like "The Walk to End Alzheimer's" or the annual education conference -- as a way to help the organization raise awareness and money.
"We're about the goal of research -- preventing the disease -- so that we don't have a job anymore," Clark added.
According to Program Director Beckye Clark, about 60-thousand Arkansans are suffering from the disease while 5.4 million people across the country have been diagnosed. She also believes the number of cases will go up as the "Baby Boomer Generation" ages.
It's a grim forecast -- especially when you consider the lack of treatment options and the end result.
"It's among the top ten leading causes of death in the U.S. It's number six," Clark said. "And among the diseases in the top ten, it's the only one that does not have a prevention, a cure or even a slowing."
But there are ways to help and a top priority for the local office is providing care for those who take on the tough role of being a caregiver.
"It's a very stressful situation and often times a caregiver goes downhill before the person they're giving care for," said Clark, who knows first-hand after her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about three years ago.
She says it's that personal connection which makes her so passionate about the cause along with the opportunity to share advice with others regarding ways to communicate with their family members, how to deal with wandering and driving issues along with finances and being power of attorney.
Clark says anyone is welcome to call or stop by the Benton County office to learn more about support groups and free resources. She also encourages people to volunteer or participate in charity events like "The Walk to End Alzheimer's" or the annual education conference -- as a way to help the organization raise awareness and money.
"We're about the goal of research -- preventing the disease -- so that we don't have a job anymore," Clark added.
