MSU Extension: Alzheimer's: Support for Montana Farmers, Ranchers, and Their Families

This is one in a series of articles focusing on estate and legacy planning. Authors are Kaleena Miller, MSU Madison-Jefferson County Extension Agent, kaleena.miller1@montana.edu and Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension Family Economics Specialist, marsha.goetting@montana.edu.

While Montana has more than 21,000 people living with Alzheimer’s, there are no figures about the number of agricultural producers with the disease. “They exist because many family caregivers have approached me during my estate planning meetings desperately wanting resources such as a financial and a health care power of attorney,” said Dr. Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension Family Economics Specialist and one of the authors.

Working in isolation and living in Montana’s rural communities creates a need for education about Alzheimer’s specific to farm and ranch operations. This is one of the reasons the authors wrote the articles. They wanted to provide helpful information to Montanans with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Empowering farm and ranch families to recognize the early signs of Alzheimer’s and to ensure the safety of the person who is living with Alzheimer’s were other reasons. Another was to enable caregivers to know the vital importance of self-care for their physical, mental, and emotional health.

Additional authors included Vicki Schmall, Emerita Professor and Extension Gerontology Specialist, Oregon State University; S. Dee Jepsen, Professor and Extension Agricultural Safety and Health State Leader at the Ohio State University; Jennifer Munter, Assistant Director, MSU Extension Nutrition Education Program; and E. Edwin Eck, Emeritus Professor, Alexander Blewett III, School of Law, University of Montana.

The magazines are designed specifically for Montana agricultural producers facing early to middle stages of Alzheimer’s, their families, and family caregivers said Kaleena Miller, MSU Madison-Jefferson County Extension Agent. The six articles in Volume 2 provide information that can make a positive difference in their lives. The titles are:

• Alzheimer’s and Driving: Concerns and Decisions

• Wandering: A Safety Concern

• Safety Measures in the Home and Surrounding Environment

• Planning for the Cost of Long-term Care

• Legal Documents: Financial, Health, and Estate

• Helping Children Understand Alzheimer’s

“We want to recognize appreciate the following organizations for providing funding to make the magazine available free to Montanans: AARP-Montana; AgWest Farm Credit, Montana Farmers Union; University of Montana Geriatric Education Center; and Western Extension Risk Management Education Center,” said Goetting.

Even if you don’t know someone with memory issues you may want to educate yourself when day arrives that you do. Readers who want a copy of the magazine should call the MSU Extension Madison-Jefferson County Office at 406-287-3282 or order at https://www.montana.edu/extension/alzheimers/magorderform.html.