Rising Costs of Low Income Elderly in Minnesota

Neal St. Anthony, in the 3-14-11 edition of the Star Tribune writes about the cost of state government and the problems presented to the business community. St. Anthony says that "The real cost driver of state government is health care, which threatens to consume most of the general fund with a decade unless Minnesota slows rising medical costs of the state's low-income elderly and state employees."

Within the costs for low and mid income elderly is the growing cost for Alzheimer's Disease treatment and management. It is my opinion that local communities are destined to bear an increasing share of Memory Loss costs. The reduction of state aid to communities will increase the pressure on infrastructure such as police and education as well as other city services.

The cost to society of Alzheimer's and other Memory Loss challenges is documented and several references in this weblog give links to a some documentations. The business facet of a community depends on management of costs both within those businesses and the tax structure of the community as well as provision of city services for businesses and people who manage and work in those businesses. Responsible business management will keep in mind the vital life of the citizens of the community.

Local community initiatives are one viable way to address a long term necessity. If local responses are muted the quality of life in that place is bound to decline. This weblog is my effort to think through the issue and attempt to make some small contribution to viable responses.

A Specific Idea for Responding to Alzheimer's

Police officers are often the first community contact with families and individuals dealing with Alzheimer's Disease. When a person caught up in Dementia becomes uncontrollable in a home the most likely resource is to call 911. If the person with Alzheimer's is acting in a bizarre manner in the community the Police are the most reliable resource and will be called.

Any person who is in the position of dealing with the often unpredictable and sometimes violent behavior effects of Alzheimer's needs to be prepared to deal effectively with the situation. Police officers need training to respond in appropriate ways that calm the person and also relieve the family in their anxiety.

Money is needed to provide professional training for police officers as they increasingly deal with mental health issues including various Dementia related behaviors.  The question today is where will that money come from since many funding sources are being reduced.

Organizations like Community Foundations can offer to provide one time or long term grants to provide training opportunities for police officers who will deal with Alzheimer related situations. The growing incidence of Dementia related problems in many communities indicates that the need is urgent. Action now will prepare for an even more challenging future.

Mind, Mood & Memory publishes 2011 Report

Combating Memory Loss:  Common Problems & Treatments  is a special report put out by Massachusetts General Hospital and the editors of Mind, Mood & Memory. It promises to be a thoroughly up-to-date and valuable resource.


To obtain copies of the report write to Health Special Reports, 800 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, CT  06854-163i or call 877-300-0253.


The report deals with why aging minds forget, extensive information on various aspects of Dementia and Alzheimer's disease, treatment possibilities, new treatments on the horizon, and various strategies on how to help oneself and boost ones own memory.


Accurate information is one way to deal with the fear that many aging persons have regarding memory loss. This resource appears to be one of the better new resources.

A Practical Alzheimer's Disease Resource

Caring for a Person with Alzheimer's Disease is an Easy-to-Use Guide from the National Institute on Aging. This 136 page Guide is well designed and printed. For a copy at no cost to the enquirer, contact the Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center at 1-800-438-4380. Go to www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers for further information.

The Guide gives some basics on understanding AD (Alzheimer's Disease) and gives many specific ideas on Caring for a Person with AD.  A section entitled Caring for Yourself addresses the critical necessity of keeping the caregiver healthy and personally motivated. The Medications being used now to treat AD and its symptoms are described and concise Words to Know section takes some of the mystery out of the AD scene.

Education about Alzheimer's Disease is becoming necessary for families and community members due to the increasing number of persons affected by AD. It is a difficult subject to talk about. Anxious feelings arise. This Guide offers a place to begin.

An Approach to Alzheimer Disease - Dementia - Memory Loss

Information about Alzheimer Disease and Memory Loss is gaining attention as public media present the 2011 situation. The population share of families affected by Memory Loss is growing in many communities. Families, Hospitals, Medical practitioners, Police, Care Centers, Religious organizations, the City Health Department, Real Estate companies, Financial institutions, Development companies, Non-profit service agencies are all affected by the growing challenge of Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Loss. Along the way questions will arise about money cost, about  who will take leadership, and what kind of retained personnel will be necessary to accomplish such an Initiative. One place to begin is with information resources focused on Alzheimer Disease, Dementia and Memory Loss.

The Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers-disease/DS00161 MetLife Foundation http://www.metlife.com/about/corporate-profile/citizenship/metlife-foundation/azheimers-and-aging.html The MetLife plan addresses mental fitness, civic involvement and public awareness. The MetLife Foundation has invested 18 million $ in Alzheimer research.  The National Institute on Aging http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/CaringAD/  offers an easy-to-use Guide entitled: Caring for a Person with Alzheimer's Disease.  Fort Wayne Community Net  http://www.ft-wayne.in.us/health_living/family_health.html The Net includes community initiatives with an Alzheimer support group   The Greater Memphis Foundation   http://www.cfgm.org/page10000841.cfm Five Initiatives that show their line of approach to community iniatitives. The Center for Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and Care of Australia.  http://www.alzheimers-centre.org.au/people.php  New South Wales Department of Ageing, Disability and Home  Care   http://www.dadhc.nsw.gov.au/dadhc/Publications+and+policies/Ageing.htm  Ontario Senior Secretariat http://www.culture.gov.on.ca/seniors/english/programs/alzheimer/initiatives.shtm Includes 10 Initiatives relating to Alzheimer Disease and related Dementia.  The Greater Atlanta Community Foundation http://www.cfgreateratlanta.org/Community-Initiatives/Current-Initiatives.aspx The Foundation is a funder, catalyst, partner and non partisan convener and/or knowledge broker. They have an interesting variety of Iniatives but little or nothing on Memory Loss. European Commission on Public Health  http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_information/dissemination/diseases/alzheimer_en.htm  A recognition of the social and health impact associated with Alzheimer's and other dementias in Europe.   Alzheimer's Association http://www.alz.org/index.asp National Institute on Aging http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/ Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/ There is a participating site in Rochester, MN  Copper Ridge Institute http://www.crinstitute.org Improving the lives of older persons through research and education. Affiliated with Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Carver County Office of Aging http://www.co.carver.mn.us/departments/PH/aging.asp An example of what one Minnesota County is doing to address the challenges relating to aging and its opportunities and problems. Notes: 1. The Minnesota Legislature has appointed a working group to examine the needs, service and state capacity to address Alzheimer Disease related issues. A report will be given to the Governor. 11-5-10 2. By 2030 the percentage of Minnesota citizens over age 65 will double to 1.3 million. Presently the percentage of population is 12% and it will grow to 20%. Presently public health care and services is 1/3 of the state budget. The source is a Star Tribune article by Pat Doyle on 9-18-10. She can be reached at pdoyle@startribune.com 3. The Minnesota-North Dakota Alzheimer's Association, Edina office, has formed a Minnesota Alzheimer's Working Group with a goal of Minnesota becoming the first Competent Alzheimer's State in the nation. This process has been proceeding for 15-17 months. A number of expert counsel persons are being involved in the process. See http://www.alz.org/mnnd for information on developments. This page is written by Delton Krueger. Ongoing research on Alzheimer's Disease and related matters will be added on this web log.

An Approach to Alzheimer Disease - Memory Loss

This web log is being developed to begin exploration of options for developing greater public awareness and interest in issues related to Alzheimer Disease - Dementia - Memory Loss. The focus will be on information gathering and community based attention. The specific community location is Bloomington, Minnesota, USA. The writer is Delton Krueger.