Free education programs seek to inform, increase awareness about Alzheimer’s Disease

The Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter welcomes individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia, their caregivers and the general public to attend one of its free public education programs this winter.

“Education is our best weapon in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease,” said Katrina Skeval, chief program officer for the Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter, said. “Informed caregivers are the best caregivers because they know the right questions to ask, the available care options and how to make the best decisions for their loved one with the disease.”

Alzheimer’s Association programs are developed by experts in the field and reviewed by their peers for quality. Our presenters have undergone extensive training in the field of dementia care and the resources available to families in Central New York. Admission is free, however reservations are requested by calling the Chapter at (315) 472-4201 in the Syracuse area or (315) 617-4025 in the Mohawk Valley.

Basics of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

If you or someone you know is affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, it’s time to learn the facts. This program discusses the difference between normal aging and dementia, explores how the brain works, defines dementia and its stages, explains the importance of clinical trials, and gives an overview of the programs and services offered by the Alzheimer’s Association. The program is one hour long.

• Jan. 12, 5 p.m. Rome Memorial Hospital, 1500 N. James St., Rome
• Jan. 17, 1:30 p.m. The Commons on St. Anthony, 3 St. Anthony’s St., Auburn
• Jan. 18, 4 p.m. OASIS Learning Center, 6333 State Rte. 298, East Syracuse
• Jan. 18, 5 p.m. Frank J. Basloe Library, 245 N. Main St., Herkimer
• Feb. 9, 1:30 p.m. The Commons on St. Anthony, 3 St. Anthony’s St., Auburn
• Feb. 9, 5 p.m. Rome Memorial Hospital, 1500 North James St., Rome
• Feb. 21, 3 p.m. dward T. Boyle Center, 149 Genesee St., Auburn
• Mar. 1, 5 p.m. CCC Center for Career and Community Development, 197 Franklin St., Auburn
• Mar. 9, 5 p.m. Rome Memorial Hospital, 1500 N. James St., Rome
• Mar. 15, 11 a.m. New Hartford Senior Center, 1 Sherman St., New Hartford
• Mar. 15, 5 p.m. Frank J. Basloe Library, 245 N. Main St., Herkimer
• Apr. 13, 5 p.m. Rome Memorial Hospital, 1500 N. James St., Rome
• Apr. 19, 5 p.m. Frank J. Basloe Library, 245 N. Main St., Herkimer

Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body

For centuries, we’ve known that the health of the brain and the body are connected. But now, science is able to provide insights into how to make lifestyle choices that may help you keep your brain and body healthy as you age. Join us to learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and use hands-on tools to help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging. The program is one hour long.

• Feb. 1, 4 p.m. The Athenaeum of Skaneateles, 150 E. Genesee St., Skaneateles
• Apr. 5, 4 p.m. Frank J. Basloe Library, 245 N. Main St., Herkimer

Dementia Conversations

The Dementia Conversations program is designed to meet the needs of the following audiences: People noticing changes in seniors they are close to who have not received a dementia-related diagnosis, care partners of those in the early stage of dementia, other family members who do not see themselves as caregivers, long-distance caregivers, and hands-on caregivers of people in the middle to late stages of dementia. The program is one hour long.

• Jan. 11, 10 a.m. Cazenovia Public Library, 100 Albany St., Cazenovia
• Feb. 16, 9 a.m. Madison County Office for Aging, 138 Dominic Bruno Blvd., Canastota
• Apr. 5, 4 p.m. The Athenaeum of Skaneateles, 150 E. Genesee St., Skaneateles

Legal & Financial Planning

If you or someone you know is affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, planning for the future is important. Our experts will give an overview of pertinent legal documents such as wills, powers of attorney, and health care proxies, as well as an overview of financial issues and options like Medicare, Medicaid or veterans benefits. The program is two hours long.

• Jan. 9, 5-7 p.m. HealthLink, 6333 NYS 298, E. Syracuse
• Jan. 23 and 30, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Utica Public Library, 308 Genesee St., Utica
• Feb. 8, 3-5 p.m. OASIS Learning Center, 6333 NYS 298, E. Syracuse
• Apr. 25, 6-8 p.m. McHarrie Pointe Assisted Living, 7740 Meigs Rd., Baldwinsville

Effective Communication Strategies

This program explores how communication takes place when someone has Alzheimer’s, learn to decode the verbal and behavioral messages delivered by someone with dementia, and identify strategies to help you connect and communicate at each stage of the disease. The program is one hour long.

• Jan. 23, 2 p.m. Frank J. Basloe Library, 245 N Main St., Herkimer
• Mar. 9, 9 a.m. Madison County Office for Aging, 138 Dominic Bruno Blvd., Canastota
• Apr. 3, 5 p.m. Cayuga Community College, 197 Franklin St., Auburn
• Apr. 11, 2 p.m. OASIS Learning Center, 6333 State Rte 298, East Syracuse

Understanding & Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors

The Understanding and Responding to Dementia Related Behavior program of the Alzheimer’s Association is designed to provide practical information and resources to help dementia caregivers learn to decipher how best to respond. The program is 90 minutes long.

• Mar. 1, 4 p.m. The Athenaeum of Skaneateles, 150 E. Genesee St., Skaneateles
• Mar. 16, 2 p.m. OASIS Learning Center, 3649 Erie Blvd E., Syracuse
• Mar. 23, 3 p.m. Frank J. Basloe Library, 245 North Main St., Herkimer
• May 2, 5 p.m. Cayuga Community College, 197 Franklin St., Auburn

Know The 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters

If you or someone you know is experiencing memory loss or behavioral changes, it’s time to learn the facts. This program will discuss the warning signs of Alzheimer’s, what to do if you see the signs in yourself or someone you love, getting a diagnosis, and medication options. The program is one hour long.

• Jan. 18, 4 p.m. Jervis Public Library, 613 N. Washington Rd., Rome
• Feb. 1, 5 p.m. Cayuga Community College, 197 Franklin St., Auburn
• Feb. 15, 2 p.m. Frank J Basloe Library, N. Main St., Herkimer
• Mar. 30, 7 p.m. Weedsport Free Library, Brutus St., Weedsport

Living With Alzheimer’s

When someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, friends and family have many questions. What does the diagnosis mean? What kinds of plans need to be made? What resources are available to help? As the disease progresses, new questions reflect growing needs for skills, programs and services. Join us for this series of programs that provide answers to the questions that arise in the early, middle and late stages of the disease. Hear from those directly affected and learn what you need to know, what you need to plan, and what you can do at each point along the way. Participants are encouraged to attend each part of the multi-session presentations.

EARLY-STAGE CAREGIVERS

• Jan. 10 from 6-8 p.m.: McHarrie Pointe Assisted Living, 7740 Meigs Rd., Baldwinsville
• Mar. 14 from 3-4 p.m.: Jervis Public Library, 613 N. Washington Rd., Rome
• Mar. 27 from 2-4 p.m.: Valley Health Services, 161 Valley Dr., Herkimer

MIDDLE-STAGE CAREGIVERS

• Feb. 7 and 21 from 6-8 p.m.: McHarrie Pointe Assisted Living, 7740 Meigs Rd., Baldwinsville
• Mar. 30 from 10 a.m.-Noon and 2-4 p.m.: Valley Health Services, 161 Valley Dr., Herkimer
• Apr. 19 from 1-4:30 p.m.: Jervis Public Library, 613 N. Washington Rd., Rome

LATE-STAGE CAREGIVERS

• Mar. 21 from 6-8 p.m.:  McHarrie Pointe Assisted Living, 7740 Meigs Rd., Baldwinsville
• Apr. 10 from 10 a.m.-Noon: Valley Health Services, 161 Valley Dr., Herkimer