Alzheimer's Association offers free webinars

Clark Fork Valley Press

More than 6 million families across the United States have a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.

Communicating clearly with those individuals, particularly with the added confusion and stresses brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, can be challenging.

To help families cope with the challenges of communicating with their loved ones with dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association is hosting a free webinar – one of a series of webinars offered through November – that teaches caregivers to decode verbal and behavioral communication from someone with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and develop strategies for having meaningful connection with people in differing stages of dementia.

The full schedule of free webinars offered during the month of November includes:

2 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19.

Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body: Tips from the Latest Research. 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.

Noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4; 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12; and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20.

• Effective Communication Strategies. This workshop teaches caregivers to decode verbal and behavioral communication from someone with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Develop strategies for having meaningful connection with people in differing stages of dementia.

2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4; 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15; and noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24.

• Dementia Conversations. Tips on how to have honest and caring conversations with family members about going to the doctor, when to stop driving, and making legal/financial plans.

3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5; and noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20.

• Understanding and Responding to Dementia-related Behavior. Behavior is a powerful form of communication and one of the primary ways that people with dementia communicate their needs and feelings as the ability to use language declines. But these behaviors can be challenging for caregivers. Join us to learn how to decode behavioral messages and learn strategies to intervene with some of the most common behavioral challenges.

5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5; and 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, Nov. 19.

• The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease. Learn about the 10 common warning signs, what to watch for in yourself and others, typical age-related changes, the benefits of a diagnosis, early detection and more.

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10; and 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17.

• Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Learn about the impact of Alzheimer’s, the differences between Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, risk factors, current research, treatments to address some symptoms and more.

10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Nov. 18.

• Advancing the Science: Alzheimer’s and Dementia Research. An overview of Alzheimer’s disease science and the latest advances in research to find a prevention, treatment and cure.

3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18.

• Legal and Financial Planning for Alzheimer’s. An interactive program where you’ll learn about

important legal and financial issues to consider, how to put plans in place, and how to access legal and financial resources near you.

11 a.m. to noon Friday, Nov. 20.

• COVID-19 and Caregiving. Caring for someone living with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic adds unique challenges for caregivers. This program provides simple tips caregivers can put in place whether the person living with dementia lives at home, in a residential facility, or care providers are coming into the home.

1 to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9.

• Living with Alzheimer’s: for Caregivers – Middle Stage – Part 1. In the middle stage of Alzheimer’s disease, those who were care partners now become hands-on caregivers. Join us for this series and hear caregivers and professionals discuss helpful strategies to provide safe, effective and comfortable care in the middle stage of Alzheimer’s.

1 to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16.

• Living with Alzheimer’s: for Caregivers – Middle Stage – Part 2 – (In the middle stage of Alzheimer’s disease, those who were care partners now become hands-on caregivers.

1 to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23.

• Living with Alzheimer’s: for Caregivers – Middle Stage – Part 3. In the middle stage of Alzheimer’s disease, those who were care partners now become hands-on caregivers.

1 to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30.

• Living with Alzheimer’s: for Caregivers – Late Stage – Part 1 – (In the late stage of Alzheimer’s disease, caregiving typically involves new ways of connecting and interacting with the person with the disease.

You’ll hear from caregivers and professionals about resources, monitoring care and providing meaningful connection for the person with late-stage Alzheimer’s and their families.

Like all programs and services of the Alzheimer’s Association, the webinars are offered at no charge, but registration is required.

To register, click here or call the free Alzheimer’s Association Helpline at 800-272-3900.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s Association programs and services, go to www.alz.org.