Monday, November 17, 2008

Michigan Law Firm and Homecare Company Release Book for National Alzheimer's Awareness Month

A Michigan law firm and homecare company have teamed up to publish a guidebook designed specifically for caregivers and families who deal with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The book focuses on the financial, legal, comfort and care options often overlooked by most caregivers. The book was released in time for national Alzheimer's awareness month in November. Proceeds from the sale of the book benefit the Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

Troy, Mich. (PRWEB) November 17, 2008 -- November is national Alzheimer's Awareness Month, recognizing the more than 10 million family caregivers providing care and support to loved ones living with Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias. That number is expected to increase dramatically over the next two decades.

"We decided to publish this book because the statistics are staggering. The greatest risk factor for dementia is age, and we know that over the next 20 years, the number of people over the age of 50 will increase by 74 percent, while the number of people under the age of 50 will increase by just one percent. This means that more Americans will be at risk for developing Alzheimer's and there will be fewer caregivers to provide care," says Bert Copple, Community Service Representative for the Home Instead Senior Care franchise in Birmingham, Michigan.

The book, a collaborative effort between the Center for Elder Law and the Center for Probate Litigation, divisions of Barron, Rosenberg, Mayoras & Mayoras, PC, in Troy, Michigan, and Home Instead Senior Care, was developed to include sections that cover the legal and financial realms of family caregiving, as well as an overview of practical coping mechanisms for the average Alzheimer's caregiver.

"I have discovered that most families are lost when it comes to dealing with the legal, financial and care issues related to this devastating disease," says Don Rosenberg, an elder law attorney for the Center for Elder Law, and the Chairperson of the Michigan Alzheimer's Association Greater Michigan Chapter. Rosenberg is also the Chair-Elect of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section of the State Bar of Michigan.

"We wrote the book to help families understand the difficult journey ahead and provide information to make their life easier." According to Rosenberg, every family needs to learn four lessons when dealing with Alzheimer's:

1. Early diagnosis, treatment and a care plan will provide a longer and more quality of a life to the person with dementia and provide less stress to the caregiver and family.
2. The importance of putting their legal affairs in order especially elder law durable power of attorneys for medical and financial decisions.
3. It is never too late to plan.
4. One does not have to lose their entire life savings to the cost of care.

The authors will celebrate the release of their book, Alzheimer's Disease & Related Dementias: A Guidebook for Care, Comfort, Legal and Financial Security, at a book release party to be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 from 3-5 p.m. at 1301 West Long Lake Road in the main lobby. Refreshments will be served and networking opportunities will be available. Attendees can purchase the book at the event at a discounted price of $9.95. The book normally retails for $14.95 with $5 of the purchase being donated to the Alzheimer's Association.
The book is available for purchase on Amazon.com.

Contacts
Bert Copple
Home Instead Senior Care
Phone: (248) 904-8455
bert.copple@homeinstead.com
www.homeinstead.com/283

Rebecca Atkinson
The Center for Elder Law
Phone: (248) 641-7070
ratkinson@brmmlaw.com
www.tcfel.com

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[Via Legal / Law]

Posted by prolink at 12:45 AM

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