The Northwest Ohio Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has joined with the Ohio Department of Aging and the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging to implement a program designed to help both individuals with memory problems as well as their family members who are caring for them.

The program, RDAD: Reducing Disability in Alzheimer's Disease, is designed to help teach older adults who may suffer from memory problems how to do some simple exercises to improve their overall health. The program also teaches family members about symptoms to watch for and how to care for persons with memory problems.

The goal of RDAD is to improve the ability of a person with memory problems to carry out activities of daily living while also helping family caregivers to assist their relative.

One hundred and fifty persons with memory problems and their relatives are needed to participant in the program during the first year that it is being implemented.

Three key components participants will encounter during the study include:

• Having a specially trained professional making home visits for 15 sessions. Each session will last about one hour.

• Professionals will teach exercises to the person with memory problems to help improve strength and balance. Caregivers will also receive instruction on how to assist their relative with these exercises. Family members will be asked to keep a record of the participant’s exercise progress.

• To evaluate the RDAD program, family members will be asked to complete three brief surveys about the sessions that will be mailed back to the Benjamin Rose Institute.

There is no cost to participate in the program. All information will be kept completely confidential. Data will only be presented in summary form.

Your participation in this program is completely voluntary. Deciding to stop participating in the program will in no way affect any services that you receive or may receive from the participating organizations.

To learn more about participating or for information, call 419-537-1999 or 1-800-272-3900

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