Calendar  About Family and Community Education Programs  Early-Stage Support  Family Care Consultation

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About Family and Community Education Programs

The Alzheimer's Association offers education programs for families and non-professional caregivers.  For persons with memory loss, their families and friends, there are courses designed to help you understand memory loss, develop a partnership with your doctor and learn skills to make legal and financial plans.  Program topics vary and are offered throughout the state at various locations.  Family care partners can participate in intensive, supportive programs to develop caregiving skills.  These programs are free of charge.

The Alzheimer's Association does not pay an entry fee to participate in community programs or health exhibits/fairs.  In addition to the regularly scheduled education classes, the Alzheimer's Association provides programs through local civic groups, faith-based and community organizations.  Click here for the current program schedule, and call 973.586.4300, to register and request more details.

Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters

The warning signs of Alzheimer's disease are often dismissed as side effects of normal aging.  If you or someone you know is experiencing memory loss or changes in behavior or thinking skills, it's time to learn the facts.  Early detection, diagnosis and intervention are vital because they provide the best opportunities for treatment, support and planning for the future.

Attend this interactive workshop to learn the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's disease.  We'll separate myth from reality and address commonly-held fears about Alzheimer's in America.  Find out how to recognize the signs and the steps to take.

Understanding Memory Loss

Memory loss that disrupts everyday life is not a normal part of aging!  This program will explore the difference between normal age-related memory changes and abnormal changes that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia disorders; the 10 warning signs will be described.  The importance of a thorough medical examination when symptoms first arise, current treatment options and research trends will be addressed.

All about Alzheimer’s disease- Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Designed to help families and caregivers of recently diagnosed individuals, this introductory program will present an in-depth look at Alzheimer’s disease, the current diagnostic process, treatment modalities and the future of research.  The presenter will also introduce the importance of legal and financial considerations when caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease and share important community resources and supportive Association programs that may be helpful for the person with dementia and their caregiver.

Communication: The Key to Understanding Behaviors

Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease may present challenges.  The ability to make sense of difficult behaviors can make your job as a caregiver easier and may improve quality of life – for everyone involved.  Learn how to avoid unnecessary arguments and recognize the triggers which may result in aggressive or risky behaviors.  In addition, learn communication techniques to effectively respond to repetitive actions, recognition difficulties, and anxious or agitated feelings.

Future Care Options: Knowing What is Right for You

When caring for a family member with dementia, at various stages in the disease, you may benefit from utilizing supportive care programs in the community.  Gain an understanding of available care options - their guidelines, how they can be accessed, and how to select services that best meet your needs.  A panel discussion will focus on various programs to support care at home, adult day center alternatives, an array of residential care settings, and the hospice initiatives available in both private homes and care settings.    It is important to remember that these resources are available to help you face the challenges of providing care.  

Legal and Financial Considerations in Dementia Care

While it is important for everyone to plan for the future, legal plans are especially vital for the person with dementia.  The sooner the plans begin, the more the person with dementia may be able to participate.  Come learn more about the necessary legal documents, tools to help with decision making and how to prepare for a meeting with your lawyer.  Putting financial plans in place is also essential and may help to ensure that the individual’s care wishes can be met.

The Bereavement Journey: Making Sense of the Grieving Process

Alzheimer’s disease is sometimes called the “long goodbye”.  Grieving often begins before we lose the one we love.  You may find yourself confronting emotions and questions that you did not expect.  Some of these emotions may be unfamiliar.  Knowing what to expect during this process can help you realize that what you are experiencing is normal and part of the grieving process.  This session will explore the common thoughts and feelings associated with grief and ways that you can use this knowledge to better understand your journey through bereavement.

Understanding Clinical Trials and Alzheimer's Disease

Clinical trials are part of the scientific process to help advance our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease.   The latest research efforts, to find effective interventions for treating, preventing, stopping and reversing the decline in memory and functioning will be described.  In addition, this session provides an overview of the phases of clinical trials, issues for families to consider such as the benefits, risks, and expectations of participation and how to learn more about available  trials in your area.  

The Caregiver: Are your Needs being Met?

Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia can become an overwhelming experience.  Often times, caregivers neglect their own well-being because they are spending so much time with the duties of day-to-day caregiving.  This program will examine the symptoms of caregiver stress and offer strategies towards becoming a healthier caregiver and setting realistic expectations for themselves and the person they care for.  

Living with Alzheimer’s disease: Help for Caregivers During the Middle and Later Stages

This program is designed to address some of the questions and concerns that may arise while caring for someone with advanced disease.  Topics include managing physical care and late-stage medical issues, suggestions for communicating as the disease progresses, coping with the emotional challenges of caregiving, facing ethical decisions in end-of-life, and understanding the dying process.  Participants will also learn more about helpful resources available to those who provide care for their family member at home or in a care setting.

Steps to Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment

Creating a safe and supportive environment for the individual with Alzheimer’s disease includes structuring his/her day with safe, meaningful and purposeful activities.  Participants will learn how to plan activities and adapt the environment to support changes in the person’s abilities as the disease progresses.  Wandering prevention techniques and other safety recommendations will be discussed.  

Partnering with Your Doctor

This workshop will help participants learn strategies for successfully partnering with physicians and other healthcare professionals to provide the best care possible for the person with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.  Attendees will learn how to make the best use of time spent with doctors, how to communicate information accurately and effectively, and become a more informed decision maker about care and services.  Being organized and prepared for office visits also helps to reduce stress and improve and enhance how persons with dementia, caregivers and healthcare professionals all relate in the care setting.  

Residential Care Options: Finding the Right Fit for Your Family

Determining when it is time to make a transition from home to a residential care setting is not an easy decision.  This program is designed to guide caregivers through the process of selecting the most appropriate care setting for their family member, providing an overview of the options and highlighting factors to consider when choosing this new home.  The session also emphasizes the legal and financial considerations associated with moving an individual to a residential care setting.  Many emotions may accompany this decision and important techniques for making the adjustment easier for the person with Alzheimer’s disease as well as other members of the family will be shared.  

Visiting with the Person with Advanced Dementia

As Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia disorder progresses, visits may become increasingly difficult.  Many times we struggle with what to say or do on a visit, because the person may have difficulty participating in a conversation or do the things that he/she used to enjoy.  This program will help participants find new ways of communicating and interacting, as well as provide practical techniques to enhance the visit.   

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Early-Stage Support

As diagnostic tools become more sophisticated and the benefits of early diagnosis are being recognized, more people who have been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease are contacting the Association.  In response, the Greater New Jersey Chapter has developed the Living with Early-Stage Dementia:  Accepting, Adjusting and Adapting to Change workshop.

Living with Early-Stage Dementia: Accepting, Adjusting and Adapting to Change

The Living with Early-Stage Dementia workshops are for individuals in the early stages of dementia and their care partners.  Offering valuable information about the many ways in which persons with dementia, family members, and friends are affected by a diagnosis of dementia, these interactive sessions allow participants to share and learn tips on how to successfully manage some challenges of the disease.

We understand activities that offer stimulation, socialization, purpose and dignity are vital for human beings, but particularly people with dementia since they are experiencing so many complex emotions and changes.  Persons with Alzheimer's disease often tell us that getting help and support early make a big difference for them.  Family members also report the benefits of being with, and learning from, other families.

Click here  to find the date and location of the next Living with Early-Stage Dementia workshop.

***Currently, we are inviting individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease and their care partners to consider joining our Early Stage Advisory Committee.  This group will meet several times each year to discuss the needs of individuals in the early stages of the disease and share ideas about what are the most important services.  In addition, the group will talk about current programming, discuss potential service gaps and help identify the best way to enhance and/or provide supportive services.  For more information, contact Laura Holly-Dierbach, Vice President of Programs and Services:

By phone:  973.586.4300
By e-mail:  laura.dierbach@alznj.org

 

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Family Care Consultation

Family Care Consultation is a confidential, individualized service offered by the Alzheimer's Association.  Assistance with problem solving and identification of resources are available to persons with memory loss and their family.

More Information on Family Care Consultation

 

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