Research and Medical Centers
Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center This center within the National Institute on Aging provides news and research online. Staff is available by phone to answer questions. 31 Center Dr., Bethesda, 800-438-4380; www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers.
Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine People with Alzheimer’s or related memory disorders can participate in clinical trials.
720 Rutland Ave., Baltimore; 410-502-5164; www.alzresearch.org.
Johns Hopkins Frontotemporal Dementia and Young-Onset Dementias Clinic Offers clarification of diagnosis, medical care, support groups, social-work services, and home visits. 600 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore; 410-502-2981; hopkinsmedicine.org.
Johns Hopkins Memory and Alzheimer’s Treatment CenterThis partnership among the hospital’s psychiatry, neurology, and geriatrics departments provides evaluation and treatment for people with Alzheimer’s. 5300 Alpha Commons Dr., Baltimore; 410-550-6337; hopkinsmedicine.org.
Memory Disorders Center at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Provides clinical services for patients with Alzheimer’s and other memory-related disorders.
3800 Reservoir Rd., NW; georgetownuniversityhospital.org.
Adult Daycare Centers
These centers were recommended by experts because they offer services specifically for people with Alzheimer’s and other memory-related disorders. For more adult daycare centers, contact the Alzheimer’s Association at 800-272-3900.
Alzheimer’s Family Day Center 2812 Old Lee Hwy., Suite 210, Fairfax; 703-204-4664; alzheimersfdc.org.
Downtown Cluster’s Geriatric Day Center 926 11th St., NW; 202-347-7527; dcgeriatricdaycenter.org.
Holy Cross Hospital Medical Adult Day Care 9805 Dameron Dr., Silver Spring; 301-754-7150; holycrosshealth.org.
Walter Reed Adult Day Health Care Center 2909 16th St. S., Arlington; 703-228-5340; arlingtonva.us.
Support Groups and Hotlines
Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area ChapterThis organization provides a list of local support groups and a 24/7 help line. 3701 Pender Dr., Suite 400, Fairfax; 703-359-4440; alz.org/nca.
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Offers a toll-free support line for people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers and awards grants to help alleviate the cost of respite care. 866-232-8484; alzfdn.org.
Alzheimer SpouseAn online community for spouses of people with Alzheimer’s disease.
thealzheimerspouse.com.
Home-care Providers
The National Association for Home Care & Hospice offers a directory of home-care service providers at nahc.org.
Assisted Living
More than 200 assisted-living communities in the region specialize in Alzheimer’s care. Reviews and ratings are available at Our Parents, a free online senior-care resource at ourparents.com.
Books
Experts on Alzheimer’s recommend the following books.
Ambiguous Loss; Learning to Live With Unresolved GriefBy Pauline Boss Purchase on Amazon
The Experience of Alzheimer’s Disease; Life Through a Tangled VeilBy Steven R. Sabat Purchase on Amazon
Dementia Reconsidered; The Person Comes FirstBy Tom Kitwood Purchase on Amazon
Speaking Our Minds; What It’s Like to Have Alzheimer’sBy Lisa Snyder Purchase on Amazon
The 36-Hour Day; A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer Disease, Related Dementias, and Memory LossBy Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins Purchase on Amazon
What If It’s Not Alzheimer’s?; A Caregiver’s Guide to DementiaEdited by Lisa Radin and Gary Radin Purchase on Amazon
Other Services
ARCH National Respite NetworkHelps caregivers and families find support services in their communities. 4016 Oxford St., Annandale; 703-256-2084; archrespite.org.
District of Columbia Caregivers’ Institute Offers support and services to unpaid caregivers in DC. 1234 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite C1002; 202-464-1513; dccaregivers.org.
Fairfax Area Agency on AgingCaregivers may apply for the agency’s volunteer respite-care program. A trained volunteer can offer six hours of respite care each month.
12011 Government Center Pkwy., Fairfax; 703-324-7948; fairfaxcounty.gov.
Maryland Department of AgingThe Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program offers free counseling to Maryland seniors, caregivers, and families concerning health-insurance benefits, bills, and rights. Legal help is also available through the state’s Senior Legal Assistance program. aging.maryland.gov.
National Academy of Elder Law AttorneysThis association has a searchable database of eldercare lawyers. naela.org.
This article appears in the June 2012 issue of The Washingtonian.
