TARRANT COUNTY RESOURCES FOR PATIENTS WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

The purpose of this investigation was to identify comprehensive community resources available in the Tarrant County area for people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD is a debilitating illness that requires lifelong care and support. There is currently no cure for AD making community resources an invaluable asset to any person afflicted with the disease. Our goal was to educate the community on the basics of AD and to identify local resources which could help patients and their families cope with the effects and burdens of AD. Our group conducted research using http://www.tarrantcounty211.org/ to locate organizations within Tarrant County that offer a variety of comprehensive resources for individuals with AD. We analyzed the services provided by the Alzheimer’s Association- North Texas Chapter, Memories in the Making, James L. West Alzheimer’s Center, and the Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium. The Alzheimer’s Association- North Texas Chapter should be the primary resource for local residents afflicted with AD. The organization offers support, education, and programs such as TrialMatch and professional training. TrialMatch is a free program designed to locate clinical trials for people suffering from AD using one’s unique diagnosis and symptoms. Professional training for medical personnel helps educate caretakers on the proper way to care for this unique subset of the population. Memories in the Making is an organization that offers a therapeutic outlet for AD patients by allowing individuals to express themselves through art and exercises that stimulate creativity. The James L. West Alzheimer’s Center is a comprehensive care center offering activities, education, and specialized care for any stage of the disease. The Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium is a large statewide research project that strives to better understand the disease by examining the potential role of genetic factors and phenotypic characteristics of subjects in the epidemiology and pathology of AD. Tarrant County has a variety of services available to patients and families coping with Alzheimer’s disease and its effects. These services are aimed at education, support, and research with the ultimate goal of decreasing the morbidity and mortality of those individuals suffering with Alzheimer’s disease.