We get many calls in our office with inquiries from family members about specialized care services on behalf of their senior loved ones in the Canton, OH area with some level of cognitive decline or full-blown diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease or some form of dementia.
Cognitive decline is associated with the early onset of these dementias, and it impairs one’s ability to think clearly, process information, learn new information, make decisions, and remember.
According to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), there are four primary types of dementia:
- Alzheimer’s Disease (most common in Ohio) – Progressive brain disorder that gradually diminishes memory and thinking skills due to changes occurring in the brain.
- Unspecified Dementia – Includes senile or presenile dementia.
- Vascular Dementia – Caused by conditions that damage the blood vessels in the brain decreasing the amount of oxygen the brain receives.
- Degenerative Diseases of the Nervous System (not otherwise classified) – Includes Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, alcohol-related dementia, and senile degeneration of the brain.
The ODH reports these key facts and statistics about Alzheimer’s disease in Ohio:
- In Ohio in 2019, 11.6% of adults aged 45 and older reported having increased confusion or memory loss (cognitive decline) that is happening more often or is getting worse during the past 12 months
- The prevalence of cognitive decline was significantly higher for Ohio adults with other chronic health conditions, including high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.
- Alzheimer’s disease claimed the lives of 5,396 Ohioans in 2018, at an age-adjusted rate of 39.4 per 100,000 persons.
- Women accounted for 70% of Alzheimer’s disease deaths in Ohio in 2018.
- Whites had a higher death rate for Alzheimer’s disease in 2018 compared with Blacks and Asians/Pacific Islanders in Ohio.
- Death rates for Alzheimer’s disease in Ohio increased from 2009 to 2018.
- In 2018, 5,646 Ohioans died from organic dementia, which includes both vascular dementia and unspecified dementia, at an age-adjusted rate of 36.3 per 100,000.
We share this information with you because with statistics like these, you likely know someone in your life with Alzheimer’s disease or some form of dementia. These facts also substantiate the reasons why we receive so many calls for in-home care services and specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia in the Canton, OH area.
November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Month, so be on the lookout this holiday season for signs your aging loved ones are demonstrating cognitive decline. If you notice any changes, contact the person’s physician as soon as possible.
“More than half (51%) of Ohio adults experiencing cognitive decline have never discussed their confusion or memory loss with a healthcare professional,” says a 2019 Ohio Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System report disclosed by OHD in 2020.
As with many health conditions, early detection is vital to slow the progression of cognitive decline, so be proactive about seeking help right away when you notice the need.
If a caring, compassionate Home Helpers® caregiver can assist family caregivers by delivering specialized care services, or respite care to support you or your senior loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, Damey and I are happy to schedule a FREE consultation at your convenience to assess specific needs and determine the many ways we can help in Making Life Easier™ for you, your family and especially your loved one with Alzheimer’s in the Canton area. 330.892.9329
Home Helpers® Canton, OH, is Veteran-owned and operated. We are honored to have received the Home Care Pulse – Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice Award, the Shooting Star Award (2011), and multiple Platinum awards for the superior level of care we provide. We are Certified Senior Advisors and members of the Home Care Association of America, Alzheimer’s Association, International Franchise Association, and we were ranked in the Top 500 Franchises by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2019.
Home Helpers® Canton proudly serves male and female seniors in Stark County, Portage County, and portions of Summit County including the communities of Akron, Alliance, Canton, East Sparta, Hartville, Jackson, Massillon, Navarre, North Canton, Randolph, and surrounding areas.
Sources:
Ohio Department of Health
