The Alzheimer’s Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter has joined with the Ohio Department of Aging and the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging to implement a program that will help both individuals with memory problems as well as their family members who are caring for them. This new, unique program is called RDAD (Reducing Disability in Alzheimer's Disease).

The RDAD program is designed to help teach older adults who may suffer from memory problems how to do some simple exercises to improve their overall health. The program also teaches family members about symptoms to watch for and how to care for persons with memory problems. This program hopes to improve the ability of the person with memory problems to carry out activities of daily living while also helping family members provide assistance to their relative.

Three key components participants will encounter during this study:

· Having a specially trained professional come to your home for 15 sessions. Each session will last about 1 hour.

• Trained professionals will teach exercises to the person with memory problems to help improve strength and balance, and trained professionals will also teach family members how to assist their relative with these exercises. Family members will also be asked to keep a record of their relatives’ exercise progress.

• To evaluate the RDAD program, family members will be asked to complete 3 brief surveys about the sessions that will be mailed back to the Benjamin Rose Institute.

Our trained professionals will come to your home and there is no cost for you to participate in this program. All information will be kept completely confidential. The information you give will never be identified individually and data will only be presented in summary form. Your participation in this program is completely voluntary. Deciding to stop participating in the program will in no way affect any services that you receive or may receive from the participating organizations.

If you are interested in participating in the program or would like more information, please call us at 419-537-1999 or 1-800-272-3900.

The Alzheimer’s Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter is offering a group version of the RDAD program for people with memory loss and their care partners. For more information about the RDAD in-home program or the RDAD Group program, please call us at 419-537-1999 or 1-800-272-3900.