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As our population gets older, people with dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease will increase.  The Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Iowa predicts the state will see 25% more patients by 2025.  Pam Green, Director of Nursing of the Long-Term Care Unit at Washington County Hospital says she has not seen a drastic change in the number of incoming dementia patients.

She says when they receive a new resident they work with the family to get some history about the individual to build the rapport with that person.  Green says they also have different sensory perception activities to see if the patient can identify a certain item or smell.

She advises families to attend different caregiver’s groups that provide education and emotional support.  For more information, you can contact the Alzheimer’s Association.