New Stamp, Unveiled Locally, Raises Alzheimer’s Awareness

WEST CAPE MAY — An estimated 5 million persons in America suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease, which is the sixth leading cause of death in this nation.
An Alzheimer’s Awareness stamp was issued by the United States Postal Service Friday, Oct. 17 officially in Morgantown, W.V. but an unveiling also took place at the West Cape May Fire Hall with local postal officials and Cho Win, Atlantic County coordinator of the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter/South Jersey.
“Every 71 seconds, an American will develop Alzheimer’s Disease,” said Win. “By mid-century, an American will develop Alzheimer’s Disease every 33 seconds.”
She said the Delaware Valley chapter served 294,000 individuals and families living with Alzheimer’s Disease.
“In Cape May County alone, we serve about 8,670 people,” said Win.
She said nearly 10 million Americans provided 8.4 billion hours of unpaid care to people living with the disease.
Cape May Postmaster Margaret Clifford unveiled a large rendering of the stamp along with South Jersey Postal Operations Manager Denise Mason and Rosemary Fox, customer relations manager, South Jersey District.
Clifford said the Alzheimer’s Awareness stamp serves as a reminder for everyone to know the warning signs of the disease and to encourage early detection.
The stamp will raise awareness about how devastating this disease is and underscore there is still no cure, she said.
The stamp depicts an older woman sitting with a hand resting on her shoulder representing the helping care and concern that is so important to those who suffer from disease, she said.
County Sheriff’s Officer Kelly Peterson demonstrated a wristwatch size device that can be worn by Alzheimer’s sufferers. It transmits a signal that can be tracked on radio receivers carried by the K9 Division to locate someone who has wandered away from home.
It is known as Project Lifesaver. Peterson said the device is offered free to anyone who needs the device.
She said, nationwide, the device has been used in 1,700 successful searches with most patients located within one hour. Peterson said Project Lifesaver is funded through donations and there is need for many more units.
Peterson can be contacted at (609) 465-1306.
Elizabeth Bozzelli, executive director of the county Department of Aging, said Cape May County has the most senior citizens of any county in state. While the national average for senior citizens is 13 percent, Cape May County’s average is almost 26 percent.
She said the county has a substantial need for services for the elderly.
Bozzelli said 70 percent of persons with dementia are cared for at home. She said the office on aging provides substantial mental health counseling to both Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers and their family members.
They also can provide emergency assistance such as the installation of ramp or other home modifications.
Bozzelli said the county Office of Aging provides respite services so caregivers can have a break to attend an event or go to work.
“We will help pay for a certain number of days per week for somebody to go to a medical day care,” she said.
County Senior Centers are not equipped to handle later stage Alzheimer’s patients, said Bozzelli but they may attend with a caregiver.
The office does offer caregiver support groups for Alzheimer’s patient caregivers, she said.
Bozzelli said Cape May County has the second highest population in the state of grandparents being the primary caregiver for their grandchildren.
“We have great-grandparents caring for 18-month old children,” she said.
If the grandparent begins to develop Alzheimer’s, the office may need to step in, said Bozzelli.
The county Office on Aging can be reached at (609) 886-2784.