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Tuesday, March 11 from noon to 1 p.m. on Music Therapy At Home, On Your Own

Presenter: Joyce A. Benton, Director-Evergreen Place/Normal
Have you ever noticed when a certain song comes on the radio, it can transport you to a different time in your life, or completely change your mood? Music can touch every person in some way and can be a powerful tool when caring for someone with dementia. Let this session remind you of the simple ways to keep music in your life as well as those in your care.
Audio conferences are held the second Tuesday of every month. Click hereto register or call 309.662.8392. Once signed up, registrants will receive information and directions for the call.

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Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter seeking new Board members

The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter, one of the largest of the Association’s chapters in the country, is currently seeking candidates to fill volunteer positions on its Board of Directors. Board candidates must have a strong commitment to the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission, objectives, values and strategic direction. From February 1 to May 1, candidates may apply online, download a print version of the application, call 847.324.0366 or email cmarsden@alz.org.

The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter, one of the largest of the Association’s chapters in the country, seeks candidates to fill volunteer positions on its Board of Directors.

Positions are for three-year terms beginning July 1, 2014. The Board of Directors is responsible for setting Chapter strategic implementation plans in accordance with the national Association nationwide strategic plan and overseeing a multi-million dollar Chapter budget that supports programs and services for over 210,000 people in Illinois with Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the hundreds of thousands of family, friends, and professionals who are caring for them.

The Board governs on behalf of those affected by Alzheimer’s and our donors and assures appropriate organizational performance, which includes fulfilling the nussion for the organization, determining the Chapter’s future direction in compliancew ith national policies, and ensuring the Chapter’s fiscal health.

Board candidates must have a strong commitment to the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission, objectives, values and strategic direction. They should be generalists who have a blend of knowledge, skills and relevant experiences in such areas as finance, law, business adnunistration, public policy, fund raising, comnunications, and volunteerism. Board members must be willing to reach out to their personal contacts with the goal of securing significant monetary and other support for the work of the Chapter and the Association. Board members must reside in the territory served by the Greater Illinois Chapter.

We are specifically seeking individuals with professional experience in the following disciplines: public relations, public policy/advocacy (not currently employed by state or federal government), audit/accounting, and financial investments.

The Greater Illinois Chapter’s Governance & Nonunating Committee is inviting individuals who meet the qualifications to apply from February 1 to May 1, 2014. All candidates will be evaluated by the Committee and the selected finalists will be interviewed in May or early June, 2014. The final slate will be presented to the Board for election at its June meeting.

Included in this application are details of the position as well as application instructions and timelines. Candidates may apply online at www.alzheimers-illinois.org/application, may download a print version of the application linked above, contact the Office of the President at 847-324-0366 or email cmarsden@alz.org. Please share these materials with someone you feel may be both interested and appropriate for consideration.

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Sign up for March’s audio conference on music therapy

Join the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter’s audio conference, Music Therapy At Home, On Your Own, from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 11. Joyce A. Benton, Director of Evergreen Place Assisted Living in Normal, will lead the call, conveying how music can act as a powerful tool when caring for someone with dementia.

Cost: None.

Registration
Register online below or to register by mail or fax, click here to download form.

Dates and time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Program

Day

Register

Music Therapy At Home, On Your Own
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
[ click here ]

Understanding, Minimizing, and Responding to Behavioral Symptoms
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
[ click here ]

Family Dynamics – What is Your Role?
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
[ click here ]

Beyond Medication – Therapies to Enhance Quality of Life
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
[ click here ]

Listen to past Audio Conferences

Program and Date

Listen

Alzheimer’s Preparedness
[ click here ]

Asking for Help
[ click here ]

Beyond Computers and Internet Technology
[ click here ]

Healthy Aging
[ click here ]

Improving Communication
[ click here ]

Description:
Are you too busy to attend an educational program? Audio Conference is designed for those who aren’t able to attend a program outside the home or office.

Once registered, you will receive through the mail, a toll free telephone number with instructions. On the day of the conference you will call-in and join many others who are seeking the latest information on memory loss.

Music Therapy At Home, On Your Own
Joyce A. Benton, Director-Evergreen Place/Normal
Have you ever noticed when a certain song comes on the radio, it can transport you to a different time in your life, or completely change your mood? Music can touch every person in some way and can be a powerful tool when caring for someone with dementia. Let this session remind you of the simple ways to keep music in your life as well as those in your care.

Understanding, Minimizing, and Responding to Behavioral Symptoms
Danielle Dodson, LCSW, Care Navigator, Clinical Supervisor, Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Illinois Chapter
The unpredictable behaviors of a person with dementia – such as agitation, aggression, sundowning and paranoia – can be some of the most stressful symptoms for caregivers to manage. Chances are the diagnosed individual feels distressed in these instances as well. This audio conference will explore reasons why individuals with dementia may exhibit challenging behaviors, how caregivers can help minimize these behaviors, and approaches to responding when such behaviors do occur.

Family Dynamics- What is Your Role?
Gwen O’Leary, Caregiver, Author, CEO, Aprons4Alzheimer’s
By sharing her own story of shared caregiving, Gwen will address why a family needs to heal before they can provide care; why you should ask your doctor to write a prescription for a family meeting; how their ‘End of Life’ conversation became their guide book; tips for calming anxiety, anger; and how to let go with love and humor.

Beyond Medication- Therapies to Enhance Quality of Life
Sandy Burgener, PhD, RN, FAAN, Associate Professor Emerita, University of Illinois
Did you know a wide range of therapies, other than medications, have been studied and found to be beneficial for persons with memory loss, even those with more advanced disease? Dr. Burgener will briefly describe these therapies within this program, including the stage of memory loss for which they are most appropriate.

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TrialMatch benefits caregivers and African-Americans with Alzheimer’s

February is Black History Month. African-American volunteers, both with and without Alzheimer’s disease, are needed to participate in clinical trials about Alzheimer’s and related dementias. TrialMatch® is a free matching service that connects individuals with Alzheimer’s, caregivers, healthy volunteers and physicians with current clinical studies. Regarding the benefits of her participation in these studies, TrialMatch user and caregiver Wanda Young says on our blog, “Education is the key to everything.”

Volunteers – both with and without Alzheimer’s disease – are needed to participate in actively enrolling clinical trials about Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Recruiting and retaining trial participants is one of the greatest obstacles to developing the next generation of  treatments and possibly future cures for Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

TrialMatch^® is a free matching service that connects individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, caregivers, healthy volunteers and physicians with current clinical studies. With a database of 130+ Alzheimer’s clinical trials, including both pharmacological (drug) and non-pharmacological (non-drug) studies being conducted across the country, TrialMatch is a unique opportunity to make a difference in your life and the life of others with Alzheimer’s disease.

The Alzheimer’s Association spoke with TrialMatch user Wanda Young regarding the benefits of her participation in these clinical studies. Wanda is caregiver for her husband, mother and brother, all of which have forms of dementia.  She is participating in clinical trials as a healthy volunteer.

Wanda initially called the Alzheimer’s Association to receive information about brain donation and was told about TrialMatch. “I was interested in the opportunity because I wanted to learn; I’m always trying to learn more. I’m actually taking a psychology course right now, studying the brain. My kids think I’m a bit of a geek, always trying to absorb the most I can about a subject… Education is the key to everything.”

“TrialMatch allowed me to plan my days as a caregiver better. It helped me take a look at myself and how I was coping, and how I could better care for my loved ones. TrialMatch prepared me for what to expect and how to respond as my family members progress with their various dementias. The TrialMatch experiences allow me to think further beyond today and into the future.”

Wanda says that she saw the TrialMatch process not only as an outlet, but as a helpful planning tool that allowed her to plan major life decisions. “My time at the computer is my time alone and my time away from everything else I am experiencing. Using the computer on my own schedule is an easy way to receive new information. The studies I participated in helped me write my advance directive and allowed me to look at my own life and health. I also received tips for managing the medications of my family members, as well as helpful information about daily toiletry, tactful ways to redirect, travel to doctor appointments and so many helpful resources for each of them (my husband, mother and now my brother.) These are not easy tasks. They take time to complete, and only someone in my situation knows what it is like.”

Whether you are a caregiver, someone with Alzheimer’s or other form of dementia, or even a loved one of a caregiver or person with dementia, you are needed for future research. “I wish more physicians knew about TrialMatch and could tell their patients and their families about it. I used to have my own business; needless to say, my life is very different from what it used to be. Caregiving takes a major hit on your self-esteem. As a caregiver, I have gained a lot of weight due to the stressors in my life.  Without a support group or outside help, you can begin to feel like a non-entity, like you don’t exist. Thankfully I have been able to join a support group and have participated in groups at the Alzheimer’s Association to help with these feelings.”

Wanda recognizes that the more that she learns, the more she can change her life and the lives of others. TrialMatch educates caregivers and offers researchers valuable information only caregivers and those with Alzheimer’s  and other dementias can provide. “I believe I have become an advocate,” Wanda says. “I read, I experience, I learn, and I take what I know back to the nursing home to help those in need. I share what I have learned with the staff, other caregivers, the residents and their family members. You don’t feel so far-removed from researchers when you are able to participate in a trial. I felt as though someone heard me, and that in itself is empowering. TrialMatch has been a way to de-stress. Being a caregiver is a full-time job. People don’t realize how difficult it is. It is important that caregivers have a voice.  I thank TrialMatch for giving me this platform.”

Ultimately, the goal is always the same. “The TrialMatch studies help caregivers cope with the difficult task of taking care of our loved ones. You feel less alone, and more educated. You feel like someone cares – and understands. Ultimately, the reason anyone should participate is to get us closer to a cure. The goal is always to find a cure.”

Wanda Young has been married to her husband Lou, a former teacher, mentor and coach for nearly 30 years. They have two wonderful sons. Wanda participated in the Medications Assistance study and the Relationship between Chronic Stressors and Eating Behaviors in Dementia Family Caregivers study through the Alzheimer’s Association’s TrialMatch® program. She is the primary caregiver for her husband, her mother and her brother.
Learn More:

• African-Americans and Alzheimer’s
• Find a Clinical Trial
• Heart-Head Connection

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 Greater Illinois Chapter honored at Alzheimer’s Association Leadership Summit

In February, the Alzheimer’s Association held its annual Leadership Summit, welcoming Chapters from across the country to take part in seminars and collaborate on ways to continue the fight against Alzheimer’s in 2014.
During the event, Chapters were also honored for their work, and the Greater Illinois Chapter won the award for those serving 8 million people and more in the area of research and participation.

In February, the Alzheimer’s Association held its annual Leadership Summit, welcoming Chapters from across the country to take part in seminars and collaborate on ways to continue the fight against Alzheimer’s in 2014.
During the event, Chapters were also honored for their work, and the Greater Illinois Chapter won the award for those serving 8 million people and more in the area of research and participation.
The honor takes into account the number of constituents who have signed up for TrialMatch, a matching service that connects individuals with Alzheimer’s, caregivers, healthy volunteers and physicians with current studies. The award is also reflective of the number of constituents who are members of ISTAART, the Alzheimer’s Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment, as well as how many attended the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference that took place in Vancouver last summer.
This is the third year in a row the Greater Illinois Chapter has taken this honor.
The Greater Illinois Chapter was also recognized for its 2013 Chicago Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The signature event ranked eleventh in the country for fundraising. The September event generated more than $618,000 to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
Click here to learn more about the event.

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