In an effort to provide further education and outreach to families and professionals, the Alzheimer’s Association will be hosting a First Fridays series in the South Bend and Muncie/Yorktown areas.  These programs are designed to give attendees the opportunity to hear from experts about Alzheimer’s disease related issues, ways to get support and how to fight back.

South Bend
Madison GeroPsych Institute, 420 N. Niles Ave.
Noon - 1:30 p..

April 3
Presenter: Linda Altmeyer, MPH, Program Director for the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Indiana
Title - Alzheimer's Association of Greater Indiana Programs and Services

Ms. Altmeyer will be discussing the programs and services of the Greater Indiana Chapter, with a concentration on professional development opportunities, research, national initiatives regarding early detection, caregiver support and programmatic needs in the Northern Indiana area.

May 1
Presenter: Indiana Senator John Broden

Title: Building an Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Statewide Plan

Have your voice be heard at this open forum as Indiana Senator John Broden listens to your thoughts and opinions on the development of a Indiana Comprehensive State Plan on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias.  This forum will allow caregivers, family members, health and social service providers, and community members to share stories and experiences about caring for and providing services to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.  Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are also encouraged to share their experiences at the forum.  The forum will address service needs, service availability, success stories, creative approaches, and caregiver needs.

June 5
Presenter: Mary Guerriero Austrom, PhD, Wesley P. Martin Professor of Alzheimer Disease Education Department of Psychiatry and Director, Education Core Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center; Indiana University School of Medicine Professor of Clinical Psychology in Clinical Psychiatry

Title: An Overview and Update on Alzheimer’s Disease

Dr. Austrom's research and clinical interests include aging, late life transitions and adjustment to retirement. She is also interested in non-pharmacological interventions for dementia patients and their caregivers, and the stress and grief associated with caring for someone with dementia both in family and professional caregivers. She often consults with long term care and assisted living facilities about how to provide best practice care for dementia patients.  She has published over 100 articles, chapters and abstracts and regularly speaks to groups nationally and internationally about her work.

Yorktown
LifeStream Services, 1701 Pilgrim Blvd.
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

April 3
Presenter:  Melanie Fields, Vicki Hornbaker and Megan Velasquez of LifeStream Services Inc.

Title: Long-Term Care: What You Need to Know

Caregivers will be given the opportunity to learn about choosing a care facility for those they care for by participating in an open-discussion session with educators from LifeStream Services Inc. Discussion topics will include: options in care, finding the right fit for you and your care receiver and resources available to assist caregivers and families throughout this process.

Muncie
Kennedy Library, 1700 W McGalliard Rd.

May 1
11:00 a.m. - Noon
Presenters: Staff from Elm Ridge Funeral Home

Title: Pre-Needs Counseling

Join us as we learn about the options in pre-needs counseling from the staff of Elm Ridge Funeral Home. They will walk participants through the services available from the planning phases to bereavement counseling services. Participants will then have the opportunity to take part in a question and answer session to voice their particular questions and comments.

June 5
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Presenters: Kelly Hall and Elasha Lennartz of State of the Heart Hospice

Title: Hospice Care and the Caregiver

Kelly and Elasha will share an overview of hospice care and what options are available for patients with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. They will also share tips for caregivers and the resources that are available to them throughout the area. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.