FORT WORTH, Texas (November 27, 2023) — Caring for individuals with dementia can be exhausting and challenging. With that in mind, United Way of Tarrant County’s Area Agency on Aging of Tarrant County (AAATC) is launching REACH: Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health. This invaluable program, which focuses on supporting those who provide care to individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia, includes a new option not offered previously in Texas.
REACH, a free program, is specifically tailored to address the unique needs and challenges faced by dementia caregivers by providing resources through education, emotional well-being and behavior management, and caregiver health support.
Recent studies indicate more than 400,000 Texans have Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, with over 1.5 million family members serving as unpaid caregivers for them. Caring for someone with dementia can affect the mental and physical health of a caregiver.
“Through our assessments in the Tarrant County area, we identified a gap in services for these caregivers and rallied to ensure resources are accessible to them,” said Shakita Johnson, Esq., who serves as AAATC’s executive director and United Way of Tarrant County’s Community Investment executive vice president. “Providing programs like REACH means we can really make a difference in our community and give invaluable support to people caring for loved ones suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s.”
REACH consists of two evidence-based offerings: One with 12 one-hour sessions, previously provided by the Alzheimer’s Association North Texas Chapter, and the second, a new, condensed version with four sessions. The four-session version is being offered for the first time in Texas, allowing for more individuals to participate and for more flexible scheduling for them.
Intake specialists with AAATC will help caregivers determine the best option for their individual circumstances. Sessions are offered online, in-person or over the phone for added convenience. Each session guides caregivers through care planning, understanding the medical condition of their care recipient, problem-solving specific to their situation and stress management techniques.
For more information about REACH or to register for participation, please visit UnitedWayTarrant.org/REACH or email Katharine.Zufelt@unitedwaytarrant.org.
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About Area Agency on Aging of Tarrant County (AAATC)
The AAATC works to improve the quality of life of older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. The agency offers a range of services and programs that meet the needs of these individuals while serving as advocates and connecting them to community resources. AAATC is the only Area Agency on Aging in Texas that is part of a United Way. From October 2021 – September 2023, more than 9,000 caregivers received training from the AAATC. Additionally, the agency coordinated nearly 12,000 hours of caregiver respite, including meal preparation, and personal care. All services are offered at no cost to the recipients.
About United Way of Tarrant County
United Way of Tarrant County brings people together to build strong communities where everyone thrives. As a nonprofit leader, we help communities tackle tough challenges and work with private, public, and nonprofit partners to boost education, financial stability, and health resources, as well as provide support in times of crisis. Last year, we helped more than 325,000 people through our resources. We celebrated our 100th anniversary in 2022 and are ready to serve Tarrant County for years to come.
Contact
Sabine Jacobson
United Way of Tarrant County
817-258-8009