The following is our brochure (although it may not look like it). But hopefully it will explain a little bit about who we are and what we do.

As you will read, we are a community service based in Columbus Nebraska but we try to provide help to anyone. We currently have over 500 documents, so if you are looking for something in particular and it is not listed, please email me at the following address and I will see what I can come up with.

And before you go, please feel free to take one of our brochures with you because you never know when you might need it. Just print it out or copy it to your hard drive or disk.

Although Alzheimer's Outreach is based in Platte County, we continue to help many within our surrounding area. So, if you live within a 30 mile radius of us, you are included in many of the services listed below.

"It's probable Alzheimer's." No one ever expects to hear that, and certainly not when it concerns someone you love. But as amazing as it seems, those three little words can change your life completely, just like it did mine.

For me, my journey began ten years ago when my mother was diagnosed, and has led me into creating a program that offers the help I never received. You see, one thing that the families in "AO" understand is the devastation that comes to the entire family. It isn't JUST the victim who suffers from this disease, it is everyone who knows and loves them. But families need MORE than just support. They need information to help them cope, they need insight to help them understand, and they need answers to the 1001 questions we all have at this time. So that is why we are here. . because no one really understands until it happens to you.

Education is an important part of "AO" because Alzheimer's is more than just memory loss. It steals from a person their ability to think, reason and respond. It takes their thoughts, changes their personality, and in the end, creates a world where time ceases to exist. But these are only a few of the changes that can happen to our loved ones, and none of them occur over night. In most instances, the symptoms are slow, gradual, and persistent, which is why in many families the onset of Alzheimer's is completely undetected.

Understanding the challenges of Alzheimer's is hard enough, but understanding the needs of those afflicted by this disease can be overwhelming at times. So below you will find a listing of some of the ways Alzheimer's Outreach may be of help to you. . .

*** A Community Service that is based in Columbus, but helps families anywhere.

*** Has almost 500 documents available so families can receive information on general to specific problem areas.

*** Has a Library of current, informative books that range from the "36 Hour Day" to basic caregiving. (These books can be checked out free of charge and kept for as long as needed.)

*** Will provide an ID Bracelet to any family who has a loved one that wanders.

*** Helps families place their loved ones name in special 911 files kept at our local Police Station. (This is for in the event the person should wander. By placing your loved ones name in to these files it automatically becomes a 911 emergency, should they disappear.)

*** Offers referrals to Doctors skilled in Geriatric care as well as Nursing Homes with Special Care Units.

*** Holds meetings the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month at Stack and Steak, 7:30 p.m., but also meets with families who are more comfortable with a one on one setting.

*** Beginning August 1st 1997, will launch a new program with Alzheimer's Outreach called "helping Hands." What this program is designed to do is to lend [free of charge], a walker or wheelchair to any AO family who has a need for one albeit long-term or temporary. ** however, please note the following**

*** As of right now, Helping Hands will be working on a "first come first serve basis" until more chairs and walkers have been located. ***

If you would like more information about Alzheimer's Outreach or Helping Hands please e-mail me by clicking on the AO mail button below.

All information concerning 'AO' and Helping Hands, are held in the strictest of confidence.





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