By: Trimmel Gomes
The 2024 Alzheimer's Association annual report
forecasts a doubling of Americans age 65 and older living with dementia - from 7 million to 14 million by
2050
According to Jessica Empeno, national director of clinical engagement with the
group Compassion & Choices, age is a major risk factor for dementia - particularly in Florida,
a top state for dementia cases due to its aging population.
Empeno emphasized the urgent need for proactive healthcare decision-making.
Her group offers an End of Life Decisions Guide and a
Dementia Values and Priorities Tool online, to help people
communicate and document their future healthcare wishes.
"A woman shared with me that she completed the tool, and then gave a copy
to her doctor," said Empeno, "and that was how she opened the
conversation and said, 'I would like to be able to talk about this - and how,
you know, how can you help me honor my wishes?' "
Empeno said the woman, who was experiencing the early stages of the disease,
felt empowered to participate in the decision-making process.
She said people should be encouraged to have these conversations with friends,
family, and anyone close, year-round.
Empeno described the free Dementia Values and Priorities Tool as "going
deeper" than other end-of-life planning options, and said it is
specifically tailored to the unique progression of dementia.
"One of the things that we incorporated into the tool are brief videos
from healthcare professionals explaining commonly used - but not always
well-explained - terms," said Empeno, "things like 'comfort care,'
'life-sustaining treatment,' even 'quality of life.' "
According to the Alzheimer's Association, some 580,000 Floridians over age 65
live with Alzheimer's disease, and 13.6% of people over age 45 are experiencing
cognitive decline.
Content for this Post is provided by Florida News
Connection, a Bureau of Public News Service.
Public News Service is a member of the The Trust Project.
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