On Friday, June 28, the Alzheimer’s Association is hosting its Spring Caregiver Conference at the Avalon Manor Banquet Center at 355 E. US Highway 30, Merrillville. The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting family members of those living with dementia as well as professionals to explore communication and behavioral management around persons with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA will be the conference presenter and is a dementia expert who trains and consults for agencies, facilities and families. She started her career as a direct caregiver over 35 years ago.
The first session, "Managing Behavior: Start With Yourself," will help caregivers recognize and appreciate the effect their behaviors, words, actions and reactions have on people living with dementia. Attendees will learn alternative approaches that can promote more positive interactions and outcomes. Other sessions will address music therapy, hands-on skills and humor in caregiving.
Registration begins at 8:15 a.m., and door prizes will be handed out at 3:00 p.m. There is a registration fee of $25 for family members and $60 for professionals. The fee will cover refreshments, lunch and conference materials. Four CEUs are available for social workers and health care facility administrators.
Today more than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s - a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease that has no way to prevent, cure or even slow its progression. That number is expected to as much as triple by 2050. In Indiana alone, there are more than 120,000 residents age 65 and older who suffer from Alzheimer’s. Approximately 328,000 friends and family members manage the significant emotional, physical and financial challenges of caregiving for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
You can register online at www.alz.org/indiana, or by calling 800-272-3900.
About the Alzheimer's Association:
The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.