Calendar Conferences

We offer several educational programs for families facing Alzheimer’s and community members. Most of these programs, described below, are free of charge to the public.

Family caregiver series

The programs in the following series are designed for professional and family caregivers. Modules may be expanded or include more medical management information for professional audiences.

Alzheimer’s Disease - An Overview
This program provides an overview of Alzheimer’s Dementia. It includes a basic description of the disease process, who gets the disease, the Ten Warning Signs, causes and symptoms. The stages and characteristics of disease progression are discussed, as well as, how the disease is diagnosed and treated.  

Alzheimer's- Beginning the Conversation
This program is designed to address the challenges confronting families of those newly diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.  Crucial information is presented, from disease progression to programs and services that can support caregiving and maintain quality of life.  (Please note, this is for caregivers only; respite funds may be available for your loved one).

IOWA             County	Day	Time	Location	For Information:
Clinton	1st Tuesday	3-4:30pm	Mercy Medical Center, S. Campus Boardroom 638 S. Bluff, Clinton	563.324.1022
Des Moines	4th Tuesday	4-5:30pm	Alzheimer's Association 214 N. 4th St., Suite 2D Burlington	319.208.0271
Muscatine	2nd Tuesday	3-4:30pm	Senior Resources, Upstairs Meeting Room 1808 Mulberry Avenue Muscatine	563.324.1022
Polk	3rd Tuesday	4-5:30pm	Alzheimer's Association 1730 28th Street West Des Moines	515.440.2722
Rock Island/Scott	4th Tuesday	3-4:30pm	Alzheimer's Association 736 Federal St. Bldg. 2 Davenport	563.324.1022
ILLINOIS         County
Henry	3rd Thursday (Jan., Mar., May, July, Sept., Nov.)	3-4:30pm	Geneseo Community Ctr., Senior Room 341 E. North St., Geneseo	563.324.1022
Henry	3rd Thursday (Feb., Apr., June, Aug., Oct., Dec.)	3-4:30pm	Henry Seniors Upstairs Meeing Rm. 219 W. 2nd Street Kewanee	563.324.1022
Mercer	4th Thursday	3-4:30pm	Mercer Co. Hospital Conference Room A 49 NW 9th Ave. Aledo	563.324.1022

Maintain Your Brain: How to Live a Brain Healthy Lifestyle
This workshop is part of a national campaign to change the way Americans think about brain health. Topics based on scientific evidence will illustrate how to improve the way the brain works and extend quality of life. Age related changes in the brain are explored as well as the connection between the heart and the brain. Nutrition, exercise and additional healthy habits that promote brain health are described.

Especially for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver
Families and friends who assume the responsibility of caring for a loved one with dementia need specials skills and support to meet the day-to-day challenges of caregiving. This program helps to identify signs associated with caregiver stress and ways to cope so that good care can be provided for a loved one with dementia and maintain caregiver well-being.

Tips for Effective Communication
This program describes how Alzheimer’s Dementia affects the ability to communicate through verbal and non-verbal channels. Strategies to maximize communication with people who have Alzheimer’s are discussed along with things that create barriers to communication.
 
Grief and Loss in Dementia
This program describes the losses and grief associated with the “death” of a loved one’s memory and unique identity through Alzheimer’s disease. Grief is examined using a model that includes the characteristics of the caregiver (adult-child or spouse) and the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (mild, moderate, severe) Rituals and coping techniques are discussed.
 
Understanding and Managing Difficult Symptoms
This program is designed to help caregivers understand why a person with dementia is behaving in a particular way. If the causative factors can be identified, it may make it possible to prevent reoccurrence. The four categories of causes for difficult symptoms are explored and strategies are presented for angry, agitated behavior, hallucinations and paranoia, problems with bathing and dressing, wandering, sleeplessness and others.
 
Alzheimer’s Disease and the Holidays
Holidays can be meaningful times for both the person with Alzheimer’s disease and their loved ones. Maintaining or adapting family traditions can strengthen family relationships and link the person with Alzheimer’s to a familiar and reassuring past. Participants will learn to recognize activities that are appropriate for holiday celebrations based on various stages of Alzheimer’s, discuss the special considerations related to traveling with a person with Alzheimer’s, and learn about gift suggestions for people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.
 
Meaningful Activities
This program is designed to give family caregivers the tools to prevent or minimize disease specific behaviors caused by inactivity. Six major purposes of activities will be explored and specific activities for each purpose will be discussed. Information on making a Life Story book and a diversion kit will be available as well as suggestions for activities to enhance long-term care visits.
 
End-of-Life Care and Decisions
This program is designed to help family caregivers examine end-of-life issues and the difficult decisions that might need to be made. Topics included will be Honoring People’s Wishes, Understanding Levels of Medical Care, Resolving Family Conflicts and Coping with Feelings. Decisions related to transfers to nursing facility care or hospitalization, artificial hydration and nutrition, CPR and use of antibiotics will also be discussed.
 
Creating a Safe Caregiving Environment
When caring for an individual with Alzheimer’s disease at home, safety and accessibility can be important concerns. People with Alzheimer’s may experience changes in judgment, behavior, physical ability, senses and orientation to time and place. With some creativity, flexibility and problem solving, the home can be adapted to support these changes. This workshop provides simple steps to make the home safe and supportive for the individual with Alzheimer’s.

Long Term Care: Making the Decision
The care needs of a person with end-stage Alzheimer’s often necessitates placement in a long-term care setting with 24-hour professional care. When should families consider alternative living arrangements? What are the key elements of quality dementia care?
Answers to these questions and suggestions on selecting a facility are discussed, as well as ways to ease the transition from home to facility care.

Alzheimer’s Disease Research – An Urgent Priority
As the population continues to age, the impact of Alzheimer’s disease as a national health crisis will increase. This presentation describes the three broad focus areas of Alzheimer’s research; causes/risk factors, diagnosis and treatment and caregiving. The direction of future research endeavors is discussed as well as ways that individuals can assist in supporting Alzheimer’s research efforts.

Alzheimer's Disease...Toward a Better Understanding
Program includes a basic description of the disease progress, who is at risk for developing Alzheimer's, the warning signs, causes and symptoms.  The stages and characteristics of the disease progression are discussed, as well as how it is diagnose and treated.

Balancing Safety and Independence- The Older Driver
The older adult, family members and caregivers are often concerned about safety, and specifically, when should someone diagnosed with Alzheimer's stop driving.  This is a deeply personal and emotional issue, and this education program will provide information on the effects of aging on driving, especially when dementia has been diagnosed, as well as ways to determine when a senior driver is no longer safe, and ways to ease the transition.  

Unless otherwise noted, all Education Programs are free and open to the public.  Please pre-register for programs by calling the phone number listed with description.

Dates and locations- see Education Calendar below

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Education Calendar

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