Hays County; November Proclaimed Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Posted by Staff | @CorridorNews 

Hays County Courthouse, San Marcos, TX – The Hays County Commissioners Court Tuesday issued proclamations naming November as both Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and Caregivers Awareness Month in Hays County, noting the commonality between the two.

Two out of five adults are family caregivers and the number of Americans caring for a loved one has risen to 39 percent from 30 percent just a few years ago. As many as 36 percent of young Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 are caring for a family member.

Many veterans suffering from physical and mental wounds, special needs children, elderly and those with Alzheimer’s disease rely on a family member or several family members – male and female — for care, requiring those family members to perform complex medical/nursing tasks for their loved ones such as managing multiple medications, providing wound care and operating specialized medical equipment.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive degenerative disease and is the most common form of dementia. It causes memory deterioration, erodes judgment and reasoning abilities and affects behavior, emotions and the ability to care for oneself. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death for American adults and the fifth leading cause of death for Americans age 65 and older.

“We want to thank and recognize those family members and friends who take on the care of individuals, without financial compensation or adequate respite,” said County Judge Bert Cobb, M.D. “We also want to them to know that there are support groups and services that can help both caregiver and those who require care.”

The Capital Area Council of Government’s Area Agency on Aging offers many support programs for both caregivers and individuals who need care at www.capcog.org or 512-916-6000. The Alzheimer’s Association Capital of Texas Chapter offers a 24-hour helpline and resources at 1-800-272-3900 and www.alz.org/texascapital in Central Texas.

Pictured in Photo

Left to right, Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Jones, County Judge Bert Cobb, M.D., Local Health Department Director Clint Garza, Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe, Local Health Department Registered Nurse Rebecca Herring and Registered Medical Assistant Rosie Estrada, County Clerk Liz Gonzalez, Kyle resident David Crowell, Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Conley and Precinct 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant celebrate November as National Caregivers Awareness Month and National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in Hays County and urge those who care for loved ones to take advantage of assistance through area support agencies.