Help for Families
Articles about help for families of Alzheimers patients
How to Choose In-Home Care
Whether you are choosing in-home care as a way to provide periodic or routine respite from caregiving duties or as a way to delay facility placement, you need to ask many questions of the agencies you are considering. These workers will be coming into your home and you want to ensure that both your needs and the needs of your loved one with dementia will be met. It is vitally important to know the right questions to ask and what type of in-home care you may need. Here are some basic issues you need to think about before signing a contract with an in-home care agency. And, before signing any contract, be sure to get a copy of the contract, read it carefully and understand its terms.
Adult Day Services
Serving North Carolina families with professional daytime care for older adults and persons with disabilities
- Does someone you know live alone or stay alone during the day but have a poor memory?
- Do you want someone to share the care in helping you with an adult with mental retardation or mental illness?
- Are you looking for a service to supplement home care for a loved one?
Federal Agencies
National Institutes of Health
The NIH is the federal agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that is the focal point for health research. Two of the NIH's 27 institutes and centers deal with Alzheimer's, dementia, and aging related issues.
- National Institute on Aging: The NIA conducts and supports research about health issues for older people, and is the primary Federal agency for Alzheimer's disease research.
- ADEAR-The Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center: compiles, archives, and distributes information concerning Alzheimer's disease and related disorders for health professionals, people with AD and their families, and the public.
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: NINDS conducts and supports research on brain and nervous system disorders. The mission of the NINDS is to reduce the burden of neurological disease.
- Clinical Trials: This NIH web site provides information about on-going clinical trials for Alzheimer's-related drugs.
Area Agencies on Aging by County
The following councils or commissions support individuals in counties in Eastern North Carolina.
- J: Triangle J Area Agency on Aging, which is part of the Triangle J Council of Governments covers Chatham, Durham, Johnston, Moore, Orange, and Wake counties. Phone: 919-549-0551.
- K: Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments - covers Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance, and Warren counties. Phone: (252) 436-2040; Toll Free: (866) 506-6223; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
- L: Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments - covers Edgecombe, Halifax, Nash, Northhampton, and Wilson counties. Phone: 252-446-0411.
- M: Mid-Carolina Council of Governments - covers Cumberland, Harnett, and Sampson counties. Phone: (910) 323-4191.
- N: Lumber River Council of Governments - covers Bladen, Hoke, Richmond, Robeson, and Scotland counties. Phone: Phone: 910-618-5533; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
- O: Cape Fear Council of Governments - covers Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, and Pender counties. Phone: (910) 395-4553.
- P: Eastern Carolina Council of Governments - covers Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Onslow, Pamlico, and Wayne counties. Phone: (252) 638-3185.
- Q: Mid-East Commission - covers Beaufort, Bertie, Hertford, Martin, and Pitt counties. Phone: (252) 974-1837.
- R: Albemarle Commission - covers Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington counties. Website in the future. Phone: (252) 426-5753.
State Agencies
NC Department of Health and Human Services
DHHS serves 7 million North Carolinians, protecting health, fostering self-reliance and protecting the vulnerable. The following divisions within DHHS serve those dealing with dementia and/or aging issues.
Caregiving Products
Ageless Design Inc./Alzheimer's Store - Ageless Design, a consulting, education and information company, delves into the problems the home environment presents to many older adults, recommends creative, cost-effective solutions, and then offers lists of products and how to get them. and The Alzheimer's Store - The Alzheimer's Store provides unique products and information for those caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease. It is owned by Ageless Design.
NASCO sells unique educational and health care products, including a variety of activities for seniors and those with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
Center for Volunteer Caregiving
The Center for Volunteer Caregiving recruits and trains volunteers from the faith community, corporations, and the community at large and matches them with elderly and disabled adults who need assistance with a variety of needs, including Alzheimer's respite care/family caregiver support, transportation, friendly visiting and occasional meal preparation, among other services. The Center extends our arms into the community. Funds are provided by Alzheimers North Carolina, Inc. to assist families dealing with dementia. For more information, please call The Center for Volunteer Caregiving at (919) 460-0567 or visit their website volunteercaregiving.org.
