The Greater Illinois Chapter offers community and family education programs throughout the year. These programs are geared for family members, diagnosed individuals, and interested members of the community. Many of these programs are free of charge, but some conferences and workshops do have a registration fee attached to them.
Certificates of attendance and continuing education credit are not available for community and family education programs, as these programs are not intended for a professional audience. Professionals are instead encouraged to attend programs offered through the Professional Training Institute.
Audio Conference
Cost: Free
Are you too busy to attend an educational program? Audio Conference is designed for those who aren’t able to attend a program outside the home or office. Once registered, you will receive through the mail, a toll free telephone number with instructions. On the day of the conference you will call-in and join many others who are seeking the latest information on memory loss.
Dates and locations: See the Calendar
Building Successful Relationships with Medical Professionals
Cost: Free
Families of individuals with memory loss are often challenged with keeping track of the person’s medical care needs. This presentation is designed to help you become an effective health care advocate for your family member. Practical tips to improve communication with health care providers will be shared and practiced, and organizational tools will be provided.
Dates and locations: See the Calendar
Just Diagnosed?
Cost: Free
The Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Illinois Chapter offers a class for individuals with progressive memory loss and other forms of dementia and their family members. The diseases that cause dementia include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular (stroke) disease, and a number of less familiar forms of brain degeneration. The diagnoses that are associated with these diseases include: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s Disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, Lewy Body Disease, and Primary Progressive Aphasia, among others. Come learn about what it means to get a diagnosis of dementia and what supports are available to help you cope with the disease.
Dates and locations: See the Calendar
Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters
Cost: Free
This program focuses on the 10 warning signs of serious memory loss. It includes a basic overview of Alzheimer's disease and covers risk factors, diagnosis, and the benefits of early detection. Through the use of video footage, you will meet people living with memory loss as they address the fears and myths associated with dementia, and hear from the family members who are on the journey with them.
Dates and locations: See the Calendar
Living with Alzheimer’s
Cost: Free
The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is life-changing and leads to many questions. What will this mean for me and my family? How do I plan for the future? Where can I get the help I need?
Living with Alzheimer’s: For People with Early Stage Alzheimer’s or Related Dementias and a simultaneously class, Living with Alzheimer’s: For Care Partners of the Early Stage Person, is an interactive three-part program where you will have a chance to hear from others who have been where you are. We will discuss what you need to know, what you need to plan and what you can do to navigate this chapter of your life.
Dates and locations: See the Calendar
Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease: The Basics
Cost: Free
This program is designed to help you understand the difference between normal age-related memory changes and more serious memory problems that should be evaluated by a medical professional. Other topics that will be covered include the common causes of memory loss, risk factors, and the importance of an accurate diagnosis.
Dates and locations: See the Calendar
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Cost: $35
Please join us for Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC) - an educational program designed to help family caregivers take care of themselves while caring for a relative or friend. Participants will benefit from this class whether assisting with the care of a parent, spouse or friend who lives at home, in a nursing home or across the country. PTC was developed by Legacy Caregiver Services in Portland, OR and has been shown to reduce caregiver guilt, anger and depression; improve caregiver self-care and communication skills; and increase community service use. A one-time fee of $35 covers the cost of materials for this six-week series, and payment (by credit card of check) is preferred in advance.
Please note – this class is not designed for professional caregivers.
Dates and locations: See the Calendar
The Boomer Generation: What you need to know about Alzheimer’s disease
Cost: Free
Every 69 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s disease...could it be you?
Alzheimer’s doesn’t just happen to other people. Statistics show that over 10 million Baby Boomers are expected to develop it. Join us for an informative and stimulating workshop that focuses on normal age-related memory changes, the warning signs of more serious memory loss, and what you can do to help in the fight against Alzheimer’s.
Dates and locations: See the Calendar
