Alzheimer’s disease is an insidious foe. It approaches slowly but relentlessly, progressing inch by inch over years, sometimes taking as many as 20 years before it is diagnosed. But for up to half of the 6.5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones, the always-fatal disease will never be diagnosed.
Often mistaken for normal aging, Alzheimer’s disease currently has no cure, but research is making inroads toward that goal, and the Alzheimer’s Association has a multitude of resources to support both the individual with the disease as well as caregivers. One of those is a free webinar: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s.
Designed to help families better understand the changes that come with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s will help participants learn what to watch for in yourself and others, typical age-related changes, the benefits of a diagnosis, early detection and more. The webinar will be offered from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5; 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 19; and noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 14.
The full schedule for free Alzheimer’s Association webinars for April through June includes:
- Caregiver’s Guide to Managing Money – 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14. If you or someone you know is facing Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or another chronic illness, it’s never too early to put financial plans in place. Join us for Managing Money. This free Alzheimer’s Association education program will feature tips for managing someone else’s finances, how to prepare for future care costs and the benefits of early planning.
- Effective Communication Strategies – 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 19; 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, May 23; and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 28. This workshop teaches caregivers to decode verbal and behavioral communication from someone with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Develop strategies for having meaningful connection with people in differing stages of dementia.
- Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia – 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 21; noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 3; 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 7; and 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 16. Learn about the impact of Alzheimer’s, the differences between Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, risk factors, current research, treatments to address some symptoms and more.
- Understanding & Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors – 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 20; and 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 30. Behavior is a powerful form of communication and is one of the primary ways for people with dementia to communicate their needs and feelings as the ability to use language is lost. However, some behaviors can present real challenges for caregivers to manage. Join us to learn to decode behavioral messages, identify common behavior triggers, and learn strategies to help intervene with some of the most common behavioral challenges of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Living with Alzheimer’s: Early Stage – 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 23; and 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 4. In the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease, families face new questions as they adjust. What does the diagnosis mean? What kinds of plans need to be made? What resources are available to help? This program provides practical answers to the questions that arise in the early stage. Hear from those directly affected and learn what you can do to cope with the changes that come with an early-stage diagnosis.
- Living with Alzheimer’s: Middle-stage – 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23; and 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 18. In the middle stage of Alzheimer’s, needs change and care partners become hands-on caregivers. You will hear caregivers and professionals discuss helpful strategies to provide safe, effective and comfortable care in the middle stage of Alzheimer’s.
- Living with Alzheimer’s: Late-stage – 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23; and 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 18. In the late stage of Alzheimer’s, caregiving typically involves new ways of connecting and interacting with your loved one. You’ll hear from caregivers and professionals about resources, monitoring care, and providing meaningful connection for the person living with Alzheimer’s and their family.
- Legal and Financial Planning for Alzheimer’s – 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 27; 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 9; and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 15. An interactive program where you’ll learn about important legal and financial issues to consider, how to put plans in place, and how to access legal and financial resources near you.
- Dementia Conversations – noon to 1 p.m. Monday, May 16. Tips on how to have honest and caring conversations with family members about going to the doctor, when to stop driving, and making legal/financial plans.
- Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body: Tips from the Latest Research – noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 15. We’ve always known that the health of the brain and body are linked, but now science is able to provide insights into how we can optimize our physical and cognitive health as we age. Learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and use hands-on tools to help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging.
- Advancing the Science – 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 21. Alzheimer’s is a global health problem with more than 6 million people living with the disease in the U.S. alone. Tremendous gains have been made in the understanding of the science and basic biology underlying Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Learn basic facts and figures regarding Alzheimer’s and other dementias, modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer’s and other dementia, why early detection and diagnosis are important, better understand some of the ways biomarkers are used in dementia research, and learn about advances in clinical trials, treatments and/or lifestyle interventions.
Like all programs and services of the Alzheimer’s Association, the webinars are offered at no charge, but registration is required. To register, click here or call the free Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900. To learn more about Alzheimer’s Association programs and services, go to www.alz.org.
