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All Family Education Workshops are free for family members and open to the public.
Click on the calendar above for a list of current Family Education Workshops.
Please call the office to register in advance.
We offer several educational programs for families and individuals facing Alzheimer’s, as well as community members.
Early Stage Education & Support Classes
Have you, a loved one, or a friend been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease?The purpose of the Early Stage Education and Support Program is to provide a safe and supportive environment of peers who are living in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia and their care partners. This program offers dementia-related education, emotional support, and connections with resources so that the members may enhance their lives in the midst of the disease.
The program is led by qualified facilitators and each person participating is encouraged to enhance their lives by developing problem-solving and coping skills, establishing a support system, maintaining physical and emotional health, and planning for the future.
Classes held on Tuesday's from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm, at the Alzheimer's Association, 1630 W Elfindale, Springfield, MO
February 7 Introduction/Overview
Week one focuses on introductions and getting to know the group and its members. Significant time will be devoted to introductions and learning more about each member, including personal histories and stories of getting diagnosed.
February 14 Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Loss
In week two, the topic is “Aging, Memory Loss, Dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. There is quite a bit of material to help families and a person with dementia understand the disease and its effect on the brain.
February 21 Partnering With Your Doctor / Effictive Communication
Developing a working relationship with your doctor is a very important part of managing your illness. It can take some time. However, it is very important that your doctor gets to know you
Febrauary 28 Telling Others About The Diagnosis: Family and Friends
When you learn that you have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, you may not believe it, or you may feel overwhelmed, confused or angry. You may be hesitant to tell your family and friends about your diagnosis due to concerns about how they will react. You may not want sympathy or help, but you may want the people that you are close to know because you care about them.
March 6 Legal and Financial Issues / Playing It Safe
There are a number of legal and financial documents that will help you formalize you plans and wishes. Taking the time to put these documents in place now will be a big help to you and your family in the future. Playing it Safe will cover topics such as “At Home and Away” and “To Drive or Not To Drive”.
March 13 Daily Strategies
Alzheimer’s disease affects different parts of your brain so, although you may not clearly remember things from your past, you may not remember recent events or schedules. This topic will cover several strategies for coping with Alzheimer’s
March 20 Coping With Changes / Opportunities For Supporting Research
You are learning about your disease and about what you can and cannot do. You may feel worried, angry or sad. In this class we will talk about these feelings, how to cope with them, and knowing that these feelings are normal. This session will also talk about the Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch. This is a few service that makes it easy for people with Alzheimer’s, caregivers, families and physicians to locate clinical trials based on personal criteria and location. Right now, more than 100 research studies pertaining to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are underway and recruiting volunteers.
March 27 End of Group Issues and Staying Connected
Recapping the events of the previous weeks, sharing experiences, discussing challenges and solutions. Stigma associated with a diagnosis Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is a topic of particular interest to people in early stages. Stigma can be the reason why some people delay getting an evaluation by a medical professional. Raising awareness reduces stigma and engages others to raise funds and change public policy.
This program is led by qualified facilitators and each person participating is encouraged to enhance their live by developing problem-solving and coping skills, establishing a support system, maintainng physical and emotional health, and planning for the future.
There is no charge for these classes
Light refreshments will be served
Contact Rob Hulstra or Marci McKie at 800 272 3900
So you or someone you love has a dementia….LEARN More
The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia brings with it an array of reactions, feelings and questions. Project LEARN offers an opportunity to work with an Alzheimer’s Association care consultant to create individualized plans to provide education, build coping skills and address planning needs.
Listen A professional care consultant will meet with families either in their home or in one of the Alzheimer’s Association offices and develop together an individualized LEARNing More plan. The LEARNing More plan will include specific action steps designed to help each family meet their unique needs.
Educate As needs are identified through the LEARNing More plan, connections will be made to appropriate education programs and community resources. Emphasis is placed on providing disease information, planning for the future, sharing diagnosis with family and friends, how to talk with your doctor, clinical trials, common stress issues and current interventions. Families will be introduced to print and internet resources as well as education classes.
Adjust The care consultant will connect families to support groups, socialization programs and individual support options as well as work with families to manage issues that come up as a result of the memory loss.
Resolve To support families as they adjust to changes, the care consultant will make follow up phone calls 2 times a month or as needed. This allows families to get new questions answered, to address any hurdles as they implement their LEARNing More plan and to make changes to the plan as needed. Families with financial need may be eligible for a grant not to exceed $500 to help with expenses related to managing Alzheimer’s such as medically based driving evaluations, and legal support to create such documents as durable power of attorney.
Navigate Through follow-up contacts, LEARN More participants will be helped in navigating the sometimes confusing maze of services. Through planning sessions, each family will be provided with information and community resources that will help them as they transition out of Project LEARN More.
Yes! I would like to participate in Project LEARN More.
Project Learn More funding provided by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the U.S. Administration on Aging
Memories in the Makingtm
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Memories in the Making™ is centered on the expression of creativity through the medium of painting. The “Memories” program is tailored to the needs and limitations of people affected by short term memory difficulties. The artists are provided with a safe, supportive environment aimed at enabling the individual to focus on their creative process. Memories in the Making™ differs from traditional arts and crafts offered for the elderly because it focuses on creative expression. The artist directs the art forms created. The process is tailored to provide structure and support for the artist while at the same time allowing them to create their own message on the paper. It is not unusual for them to paint memories from long ago or something they can no longer find the words to express. Classes meet at different times and locations.
Cost: FREE
For more information, please contact Rob Hulstra or Marci McKie at 800-272-3900 or email Rob at Rob.Hulstra@alz.org or Marci at Marci.McKie@alz.org
Funding provided by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the U.S. Administration on Aging
