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We offer several educational programs for families and individuals facing Alzheimer’s, as well as community members. Most of these programs, described below, are free of charge.
Family caregiver series
Alzheimer’s Disease: Across the Stages Partnering with Your Doctor Part 1: Workshop Introduction Participants will learn: Educational Conferences Legal/Financial Educational Series
Understanding Memory Loss
This one hour program covers general information about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The program provides definitions of dementia and different types of dementia, introduces the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, and discusses how to get a proper diagnosis, stages of the disease, and medications that are currently available.
Getting Connected
This program extends a special invitation to family caregivers of recently diagnosed individuals, and professionals, to visit the Alzheimer’s Association office and speak to staff about programs and services that are available in the area and how to gain access to them.
This series of four basic informational programs is designed for interested family and professional caregivers. The first two programs are suitable for the person with dementia as well as for family members. The last program is a panel with representatives from various care communities.
Caregiving Series
This series is comprised of eight free-standing programs designed for caregivers. The eight programs together cover a full range of caregiving issues. Each program is two hours long. However, caregivers may choose to attend any program that covers a topic of interest.
Caring Through the Holidays
(Seasonal – October/November)
The holidays can be fun-filled times with opportunities for families and friends to share laughter, great food, and fond memories and to enjoy old and new rituals together. At times, however, the holidays also can be filled with stress, confusion, disappointment, sadness, and increased feelings of isolation and loneliness. Many caregivers and persons with dementia have additional feelings of frustration, guilt, anger, or sadness as the demands for holiday events and traditions become overwhelmingly stressful emotionally, physically, and/or financially. This program teaches participants how to get through the holidays without burning themselves out.
(National Program for Caregivers & Persons with Early Stage Dementia)
The 90-minute workshop addresses the importance of partnering with your physician; provides an opportunity to assess your behavior when visiting your own physician; and examines challenges in physician/caregiver interaction. A 15-minute video (available in English and Spanish) demonstrates the effectiveness of applying the workshop techniques by depicting two different vignettes, each one showing what happens in a physician visit before and after participation in the workshop. The workshop is organized into the following seven parts:
Part 2: Why Be Partners with the Doctor?
Part 3: Self-Assessment Quiz & Discussion
Part 4: Challenges in Doctor/Caregiver Interactions
Part 5: "BE PARTNERS"
Part 6: Video & Discussion
Part 7: Conclusion and Evaluation
Throughout the year the Hudson Valley/Rockland/Westchester, NY Chapter holds conferences for both family and professional caregivers across the chapter territory. These events are either half or full day programs that provide information that is appropriate and relevant for both populations. Sessions may include updates on research and legal and financial information, as well as information on caregiving techniques and activity-based care.
Alzheimer’s disease has significant, long-lasting legal and financial implications for affected individuals and their families. For one, out-of-pocket expenditures for health and long-term care are higher, on average, for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia. Without solid legal and financial planning, families have increased medical, emotional and financial emergencies. Education about the importance of prudent legal and financial planning in the face of dementia is essential.
For more information on the programs above, contact your local chapter office. Click here for a list of local chapter offices.
