Community Matters

Community plays a key role in creating support every step of the way, an inviting and warm atmosphere for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. while also raising awareness and engagement throughout the places they work, worship, play, get an education and live.  That may be easier than you think.

Several types of community members and organizations may be involved with providing services and support to people with dementia. These include:

Practitioners who serve on the front lines of federal, state, and local health, NPO and governmental agencies impacting environments, systems, and policies

Service Clubs, Community advocates, and volunteers who function as bridges between individuals, communities, and organizations from different sectors

First responders, such as emergency medical services, firefighters, and police officers

Faith-based leaders

Social workers and case managers, who provide advice, care consultation, information, and referrals

Former caregivers

Foundations and other Funding agencies

DOH is committed to utilize our website as point of resource dissemination needed to connect individuals impacted by Cognitive Decline, Alzheimer’s with adequate information, people and services

Please contact Barb Baptista, DOH Road Map Strategist, Community Engagement and Health Equity Liaison at 904-753- 1258 or Barbara.Baptista@flhealth.gov.

• For more information on NASSAU COUNTY ROAD MAP
• To offer material for the resource “library” below
• To explore opportunities for collaboration
• To participate in Healthy Brain Road Map community activities

The efforts of Nassau Brain Healthy Brain Road Map are guided by a Task Force Advisory Council of Agency representatives and Individual stakeholders and based on the National Alzheimer’s Association and the Center of Disease Control’s 2018-2023 Public Health Road map:

https://www.cdc.gov/aging/pdf/2018-2023-Road-Map-508.pdf

Memory Loss Among Caregivers

(Running time: 10 minutes 47 seconds)
Caregiving can negatively affect caregivers’ physical and mental health. Unpaid adult caregivers age 45 and older reported greater Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) than non-caregivers. Caregivers with SCD were more than likely than those without SCD to report chronic health conditions, a history of depression, and frequent activity limitations.

How Are You Feeling Right Now? Coping Strategies for Caregivers  external icon
(Running time: 22 minutes)

Paid and unpaid caregivers often set aside their own physical and mental health needs while caring for others. Dr. Lisa McGuire discusses her own coping strategies while caring for her mom and shares other strategies to help ensure caregivers feel supported. One coping tool that can help a caregiver is to ask him or her: How are you feeling right now? Talking about concerns and feelings can help relieve stress and promote resilience.

Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Older Adults and What You Can Do to Help
(Running time 22 min)
Older adults who are socially isolated or lonely are at increased risk for serious health conditions, including a 50% increased risk of dementia. Dr. Craig Thomas is interviewed on Sole Source media and highlights this growing problem both before and during COVID-19.

Baby Boomers Who Are Caregivers Report Being in Poor Health
(Running time 5 min 43 seconds)
Caregivers who are part of the baby boomer generation reported having more chronic disease, more disability, and lower self-rated health compared to non-caregivers-putting them at risk of needing care themselves.

Health Risks of Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older Adults
(Running time 4 min 56 seconds)
Loneliness and social isolation is an underrecognized risk to the public’s health and affects a significant number of older adults. CDC’s Director of Population Health, Dr. Craig Thomas, is interviewed about a new report on this topic.

What About the Caregivers?
(Running time 4 min 56 seconds)
Although caregiving has many benefits, it’s important to recognize that caregivers may be compromising their own health. One in five adults report being a caregiver for a family member or friend, and 21% say they are in fair or poor health, according to a large, long term study of more than 252,000 adults.

The Importance of Physical Activity for Older Adults
(Running time 4 min 19 seconds)
Regular physical activity is linked to a lower risk of many chronic diseases, including heart disease, some cancers, and even Alzheimer’s disease. Find out how much activity people should be getting, and the type of activities recommended for older adults.

Alzheimer’s Disease—Genes Do Not Equal Destiny
(Running 4 min 43 seconds)
A healthy lifestyle may help reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease even if you are at average or intermediate risk because of your genes.

Younger People Need to Talk to Their Doctor About Memory Loss
(Running time 5 min 2 seconds)
Memory loss is not a normal part of aging, but a large study revealed younger people who reported confusion or memory loss had not talked to their doctor about it.

State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address Dementia, The 2018-2023 Road Map
(Running time 1 min 56 seconds)
Learn about CDC’s Healthy Brain Initiative’s 2018-2023 Road Map to address Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia in the U.S.

Protecting the Health of Family Caregivers 
(Running time 4 min 27 seconds)
This podcast discusses the role of family caregivers and the importance of protecting their health. It is primarily targeted to public health and aging services professionals.

Caregiving in Indian Country 
(Running time 5 min 9 seconds)
This podcast discusses the role of caregivers in Indian County and the importance of protecting their health. It is primarily targeted to public health and aging services professionals.

Smoking and Older Adults
(Running time 6 min 17 seconds)
This podcast discusses the importance of older adults quitting smoking and other tobacco products. It is primarily targeted to public health and aging services professionals.

Oral Health and Older Adults
(Running time 7 min 14 seconds)
This podcast discusses the importance of older adults maintaining good oral health habits. It is primarily targeted to public health and aging services professionals.

Advancing Cognitive Well-Being Through the Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map
(Running time 34 min 12 seconds)
This podcast introduces the 2018-2023 Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map and discusses strategies for public health agencies to promote cognitive health and support people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Healthy Brain Initiative Interim Progress Report
(Running time 1 min 40 seconds)
This podcast serves as a mid-term progress report for The Healthy Brain Initiative: Interim Progress Report 2013-2018

Emergency Preparedness Concerns for Older Adults
(Running time 6 min 46 seconds)
This podcast discusses the special concerns many older adults face during a disaster.

Health Literacy in Older Adults
(Running time 1 min 36 seconds_
In this podcast, Dr. Lynda Anderson, Director of CDC’s Healthy Aging Program, discusses the importance of improving health literacy among older adults.