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Helpline
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Living with Alzheimer's “For myself, Alzheimer’s is the disease that is characterized by: you don’t know what you know and when you don’t know it. A major characteristic of Alzheimer’s is increasing short-term memory losses. Short term memory losses make a pocket notebook a necessity — write down a thought or task that you want to pursue later — if you can remember that you want to write it down and that you have a notebook and pen in your pocket. For me, I carry both a pocket spiral notebook and pocket calendar because I cannot count on my memory.” |
The Alzheimer's Association Helpline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in 140 languages. Our staff is highly trained and knowledgeable about all aspects of Alzheimer’s disease. Call us if you have questions about:
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Alzheimer’s disease or memory loss, medications and treatment options, brain health and care options
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How the Association can help you
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Caregiving tips and respite care options
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Services available in your community and referrals
You can also call us for emotional support –– as often as you need. We know that living with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming at times. Remember, we are here for you –– all day, every day.
E-mail help
If you prefer, send us a message at jeanne.reeder@alz.org. We check the e-mail box daily and will respond to your inquiry within 48 hours.
Care Consultation
Our professional staff is dedicated to helping people navigate through the difficult decisions and uncertainties people with Alzheimer’s and their families face at every stage of the disease. We can provide care consultation services to you by telephone, e-mail or in person. These include:
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Assessment of needs
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Assistance with planning and problem solving
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Supportive listening
For more information contact Jeanne Reeder at 913.831.3888 or jeanne.reeder@alz.org
Early Stage Support Groups
Early stage support groups provide information, discussion and inspiration through an honest exchange of how each are coping and continuing on with good and productive lives. Groups meet in Prairie Village and Topeka. If you are considering joining the early stage support group, contact Michelle Niedens at 913-831-3888 in the Prairie Village office for an orientation meting prior to attending. If you are interested in the Topeka group, contact Karen Knappenberger at 785-271-1844 for an orientation meeting prior to attending. The orientation meeting allows discussion about the group, gives opportunities to ask questions and ensure the group is the right fit for you.
Message Boards
The Alzheimer’s Association message boards and chat rooms provide an online community for persons with Alzheimer's, caregivers and care providers. Our message boards have thousands of registered members from around the United States and thousands more who refer to the stories and information that is available 24 hours a day.
Join the Alzheimer’s Association online community.
Empowerment Groups
These are groups for you in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s disease with set curriculum/focus areas that allow expression through creation and to use continuing skills to make a difference.
Sharing Hope Group, St. Joseph Missouri
A group centered around discussion of issues important to the group, and acting on those issues through advocacy or volunteer efforts. If you are interested in attending, please contact Brenda Gregg at 816-364-4467 to schedule an orientation meeting prior to attending.
Last Tuesday of the month
6-7:00 pm
Alzheimer’s Association, NW Missouri Regional Office
Francis Street United Methodist Church
2nd Floor
10th and Faraon
St. Joseph, Missouri
Collage Creation, Warrensburg, MO
This group is centered around the expression of thoughts, philosophy and beliefs through the creation of artful collages full of story and messages. If you are interested in attending, please contact Michelle Niedens at 913-831-3888 or michelle.niedens@alz.org to schedule an orientation meeting prior to attending.
Last Friday of the month
10-11:30 am
The Vineyard
3rd floor meeting room
504 Regent Drive
Warrensburg, Mo.
Taking Control Series
This 5 week educational series is for individuals in the early stage of Alzheimer's and their families. For the first half of the session both individuals with the diesease and their families will meet together for a structured presentation and the 2nd half of the session, each group will separate for their own discussion.
Session 1: Introduction and Overview
Session 2: Coping with Memory Problems
Session 3: Friends, Families and Work
Session 4: Planning for the Future
Session 5: Making the Most of It
Check the Calendar of Events for Details
Learning Forums
COMING SOON! Courses for individuals in the early stage to assist in stimulating cognition through courses such as photography, creative writing and drama. For more information, contact Michelle Niedens at 913-831-3888 or michelle.niedens@alz.org
Quarterly Newsletter
Memory Matters, the Chapter newsletter, includes articles on caregiving strategies, research, public advocacy and the calendar of Chapter events.
Visit our Newsletter Archive to download current or past newsletters in Adobe Acrobat format. Or, sign up to receive the newsletter in hard copy or email format
Multilingual information
Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders that cause dementia know no boundaries. Many individuals and families in ethnic and cultural minority groups are in need of solid information about Alzheimer’s disease and health resources.
Safe Return®
Alzheimer's Association Safe Return® is a nationwide identification, support and enrollment program that provides assistance when someone with Alzheimer's or a related dementia wanders and becomes lost. Assistance is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If an enrollee is missing, one phone call immediately activates a community support network to help reunite the lost person with his or her caregiver.
Learn more about Safe Return.
Mollie Tivol Alzheimer’s Family Resource Center
In the resource center, there is a section dedicated to you in the early stage. Some of the books discuss activities that support quality of life, others are books written by individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease who are discussing their experience.The Resource Center is located in the main office and open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to provide books, brochures, videos and other resources on Alzheimer's for loan or purchase. All offices have access to these resources and also offer a variety of informative material at their locations. View a list of material that can be purchased
Speakers Bureau/Volunteer Opportunities
There are opportunities through the year to talk with schools, community groups and the media regarding your experience with having Alzheimer’s disease in order to increase awareness and encourage early diagnosis. If you are interested in being on the speakers bureau, or interested in being part of advocacy efforts, contact Michelle Niedens at (913) 831-3888 or michelle.niedens@alz.org
Memories in the Making©
This innovative art program provides persons with Alzheimer's disease with a means of creative expression. Experienced volunteer artists work weekly with groups in assisted living facilities, nursing homes and adult day programs. Click here for more information.
