Saratoga News

Free support program for female caregivers

A program called REACH--Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health--is now available to local women who are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease or other disorders that affect the memory.

REACH is a study being conducted by the Older Adult and Family Center, which is affiliated with the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Heath Care System and Stanford University School of Medicine. Meetings take place from San Francisco to Salinas.

At no cost to the caregiver, REACH offers techniques and information on how to adjust to and cope with the caregiving role, how to reduce stress and how to increase contact with others for support and understanding. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three different REACH programs: telephone support services, a support group or classes on coping with caregiving.

In the long run, REACH will evaluate the comparative effectiveness of the three intervention programs, all of which are designed to psychologically and emotionally benefit female primary caregivers of dementia patients.

Locally, REACH take place in Los Gatos at Live Oak Adult Day Services, located at 19 High School Court. For more information about who qualifies for the program, call 415/617-2774.

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