The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) will host a free Alzheimer’s & Caregiving Educational Conference in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 16, 10:00am to 1:00pm at the Crowne Plaza Cleveland at Playhouse Square, 1260 Euclid Avenue. The free conference is open to everyone and will allow participants to learn from experts in the field of Alzheimer’s disease, brain health, caregiving, and aging. “Knowledge is a useful and powerful tool that can help make any situation easier to navigate, especially something as challenging as caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s President & CEO. “Connecting families with useful, practical information and support that can help them now and be better prepared for the future is what this conference is all about. Whether Alzheimer’s is affecting your family, you are a caregiver or just want to learn more about brain health, we invite you to join us on July 16.” Sessions will include:
Early Identification of Cognitive Impairment — Many people mistake Alzheimer’s disease with memory loss associated with normal aging. Early detection is key. To determine if you do have a memory issue, it is highly recommended to get a memory screening. Dr. Douglas Scharre will describe how to differentiate between normal aging and when to see your provider for early diagnosis of cognitive impairment. He will also compare various cognitive assessment tools.
Caregiving Strategies to Prevent Burnout — Burnout is a very common threat facing Alzheimer’s caregivers, which is why it’s essential for caregivers to have a support network and make time for self-care. Katherine Judge will discuss caregiver burnout; how to spot the warning signs; the importance of caregiver self-care; and practical strategies caregivers can use to take care of themselves.
The Memory Disco: A Caregiver’s Tool for Mu- sic-Centered Care — Music therapy offers a wide range of emotional, cognitive, and physical benefits for people with Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in the middle and late stages of the illness. It is increasingly used in dementia care because music can access parts of the brain that remain preserved even as other cognitive functions decline. Kaylie Glenn will teach how music can be a powerful tool for dementia care. She will provide practical strategies to incorporate music into daily routines and create meaningful connections.
Driving Under the Influence of Dementia — Driving is a complex task that depends on attention, memory, judgment, spatial awareness, reaction time, and decision-making – all of which can be compromised when someone has a progressing dementia-related illness. Mary Molnar, OT, will dis- cuss the role that dementia, memory and executive function play in older driver safety. She will teach techniques and best practices designed to assist older drivers and their families in making informed decisions about driving safety as cognitive and physical abilities change.
For more information or to register for the July 16 conference, visit www.alzfdn.org/tour. Advance registration is highly recommended. Those who cannot participate in the conference or have immediate questions about Alzheimer’s disease can connect with licensed social workers seven days a week through AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline by calling 866.232.8484, texting 646.586.5283, or web chatting at www.alzfdn.org by clicking the blue and white chat icon in the right-hand corner of the page. The web chat and text message features are available in more than 90 languages.
