Banner Alzheimer's Institute launches Support Line for patients and families

09/01/2021

The Support Line is a 24/7 helpline
that gives Alzheimer’s and dementia
patients and their caregivers direct
call access to an experienced
dementia-trained specialist.

Thanks to philanthropic investment by the J. Orin Edson family, the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute has launched a new Support Line, a helpline that gives patients and caregivers direct call access to an experienced social worker when in need of resources, support, advice, education, or simply to talk. It is one of four initiatives supported by the Edson family’s $10 million gift to the Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation in 2020.

Pandemic conditions have created new challenges for patients and families living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, including social isolation, limited access to supportive resources, fear and burnout. With fewer community supports available, the team at BAI pivoted to virtual platforms for many of its formerly in-person education, support and life enrichment programs and found new ways to stay in close contact, providing crucial support to caregivers.

BAI patients and families can call the Support Line when they need advice on changes in mood and behavior, in-home services, respite care, long-term care placement, safety issues, going to the emergency department or primary care physician, caregiver stress, end-of-life or grief and more. Since the program launched earlier this year, callers have expressed their gratitude and relief and have said they will indeed call again.

The Support Line is currently available for BAI Phoenix patients and caregivers and will soon be available for patients and families receiving care at BAI Tucson and later this year at Banner Sun Health Research Institute in Sun City.

For more information about the Support Line, current patients and caregivers may call 602-839-6900.