Senior Helpers Hosts Free National Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiving Webcast

BALTIMORE, Sept. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the Alzheimer's Association, someone in America develops Alzheimer's disease every 68 seconds. By 2050, a new case is expected to develop every 33 seconds, adding nearly one million new cases per year, resulting in the need for millions of people to provide care for those living with the disease. On Thursday, September 26, 2013, caregivers across the country will have the opportunity to view a free national webcast sponsored by Senior Helpers, a national network of in-home senior care franchises that connects trained caregivers with seniors, many of whom are living with some form of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Guest speakers at the event will include Leeza Gibbons, well-known television host and advocate of family caregivers, and nationally renowned occupational therapist and dementia care expert Teepa Snow.

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The webcast, airing live from Austin, Texas, at 2:00 p.m. EDT on September 26, will cover topics ranging from combating caregiver stress to identifying the signs of Alzheimer's and dementia. The session offers a unique and flexible opportunity for people who are typically unable to attend similar conferences due to their caregiving responsibilities. Caregivers living in the Austin area and nationwide are invited to attend the event live, which will take place at the Hilton Austin, located on East 4^th Street.

A MetLife survey and Dementia and Society - Public Perceptions of Dementia, identify dementia and Alzheimer's as the most concerning and least understood conditions faced by elders and their families; often feared more than death itself. Senior Helpers' goal is to offer support to caregivers in order to help them combat stress and better care for their loved one, or to find the appropriate help that they need to do so, ultimately increasing the quality of care of the person in need.

"This is a unique opportunity for families and healthcare professionals across the nation to gain a better understanding of dementia and its common symptoms, behaviors and stages," said Teepa Snow. "It is possible to have a positive and meaningful relationship with loved ones living with any form of dementia, including Alzheimer's, throughout their journey."

The webcast will introduce viewers to the Senior Gems^® approach, a revolutionary program created by Teepa Snow and enhanced and promoted by Senior Helpers, that helps caregivers and families care for their elderly loved ones with these devastating diseases. The Senior Gems^® program is the first of its kind in the in-home care industry, and it focuses on what people living with dementia can do instead of what they cannot do. Using a classification system based on the Allen Cognitive Disability Theory, the program defines which stage of dementia the person is experiencing in order to devise the best care plan for that individual.

"Caregiving is an incredibly stressful and wearing task - often leading to anxiety, depression and high blood pressure," said Peter Ross, founder and CEO of Senior Helpers. "It takes a really special person to be a caregiver and their own well-being is often overlooked. Our hope is to show them that a positive approach to caregiving, coupled with taking care of themselves, will ultimately allow them to provide better care for their loved ones."

For more information or to register for this webcast please visit http://caregiving.seniorhelpers.com. To register to attend the live event, please visit www.regonline.com/caregiving-austin. As a bonus, all registrants will receive $25 off of a $75 online purchase at the Alzheimer's Store. To find a local Senior Helpers franchise near you, please visit http://www.seniorhelpers.com/.

About Senior Helpers:
Senior Helpers connects professional caregivers with seniors who wish to live at home as opposed to a nursing or assisted living facility. The company has 262 franchises in 39 states and one in Canada offering a wide range of personal and companion care services to assist seniors living independently with a strong focus on quality of life for the client and peace of mind for their families. Senior Helpers strives to be the leading companion and personal care provider that offers dependable, consistent and affordable home care.

For more information, please visit www.seniorhelpers.com.

SOURCE Senior Helpers