38 opportunities to learn during June

38 opportunities to learn during June

If you are curious about memory loss, look at Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters or The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. If you need specific knowledge or just something to make your life easier, try Fighting Dementia through Joyful Living, Caregiver Stress: Relief, Acceptance and Empowerment, or learn about Healthy Living for Your Brain. No matter where you are in the journey we have a program that will help.

Education Programs Calendar

There are currently 74 education program events listed in our database. To view and register for our events, use the search tool below.

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Educational Programs by Phone

Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters

The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

Legal and Financial Planning

Learning to Connect: Relating to the Person with Alzheimer’s

Living with Alzheimer’s: For Middle-Stage Caregivers

Caregiver Stress: Relief, Acceptance and Empowerment

Understanding Early Memory Loss

Dementia Conversations

Alzheimer’s Research: Get Informed, Get Involved

Effective Communication Strategies

Understanding and Responding to Dementia Related Behavior

Your Service, Your Health, Our Focus

Live Webinars

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

Fighting Dementia Through Joyful Living

Professional Education

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Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease may feel anxious or agitated

Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease may feel anxious or agitated

Anxiety and agitation in someone living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia may be caused by a number of different medical conditions, medication interactions or by any circumstances that worsen the person’s ability to think. He or she may become restless, causing a need to move around or pace, or become upset in certain places or when focused on specific details.

Anxiety and Agitation

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A person with Alzheimer’s may feel anxious or agitated. He or she may become restless, causing a need to move around or pace, or become upset in certain places or when focused on specific details.

    Possible causes of agitation

    Anxiety and agitation may be caused by a number of different medical conditions, medication interactions or by any circumstances that worsen the person’s ability to think. Ultimately, the person with dementia is biologically experiencing a profound loss of their ability to negotiate new information and stimulus. It is a direct result of the disease.

    Situations that may lead to agitation include:

    • Moving to a new residence or nursing home
    • Changes in environment, such as travel, hospitalization or the presence of houseguests
    • Changes in caregiver arrangements
    • Misperceived threats
    • Fear and fatigue resulting from trying to make sense out of a confusing world

    Treating Behavioral Symptoms

    Anyone experiencing behavioral symptoms should receive a thorough medical checkup, especially when symptoms appear suddenly. Treatment depends on a careful diagnosis, determining possible causes and the types of behavior the person is experiencing. With proper treatment and intervention, symptoms of agitation can be reduced.

    Learn more: Treatments for Behavioral Symptoms

    Tips to help prevent agitation

    To prevent or reduce agitation:

    • Create a calm environment.
      Remove stressors. This may involve moving the person to a safer or quieter place, or offering a security object, rest or privacy. Try soothing rituals and limiting caffeine use.
    • Avoid environmental triggers.
      Noise, glare and background distraction (such as having the television on) can act as triggers.
    • Monitor personal comfort.
      Check for pain, hunger, thirst, constipation, full bladder, fatigue, infections and skin irritation. Make sure the room is at a comfortable temperature. Be sensitive to fears, misperceived threats and frustration with expressing what is wanted.
    • Simplify tasks and routines.
    • Provide an opportunity for exercise.
      Go for a walk. Garden together. Put on music and dance.

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    How to respond

    Do: Back off and ask permission; use calm, positive statements; reassure; slow down; add light; offer guided choices between two options; focus on pleasant events; offer simple exercise options, try to limit stimulation.
    Say: May I help you? Do you have time to help me? You’re safe here. Everything is under control. I apologize. I’m sorry that you are upset. I know it’s hard. I will stay with you until you feel better.

    • Listen to the frustration.
      Find out what may be causing the agitation, and try to understand.
    • Provide reassurance.
      Use calming phrases such as: “You’re safe here;” “I’m sorry that you are upset;” and “I will stay until you feel better.” Let the person know you are there.
    • Involve the person in activities.
      Try using art, music or other activities to help engage the person and divert attention away from the anxiety.
    • Modify the environment.
      Decrease noise and distractions, or relocate.
    • Find outlets for the person’s energy.
      The person may be looking for something to do. Take a walk or go for a car ride.
    • Check yourself.
      Do not raise your voice, show alarm or offense, or corner, crowd, restrain, criticize, ignore or argue with the person. Take care not to make sudden movements out of the person’s view.
    • See the doctor.
      See the person with dementia’s primary care physician to rule out any physical causes or medication-related side effects.
    • Share your experience with others.
      Join ALZConnected, our online support community and message boards, and share what response strategies have worked for you and get more ideas from other caregivers. https://www.alzconnected.org

    We Can Help

    Do you have questions or concerns about your loved one’s changing behavior? The Alzheimer’s Association is here to help.

    Sign up for June’s educational program by phone

    Sign up for June’s educational program by phone

    Join us on June 14, from noon to 1 p.m. for an educational program by phone on, Successful Daily Plans for a Person With Alzheimer’s disease. If you want to hit a home run when caring for a person with memory loss, it helps to have a game plan that is heavily focused on activities. Managing our energy while helping the person with memory loss to be actively engaged will bring satisfaction and fun to all. Join us to score some strategies for fun!

    Educational Programs by Phone

    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

    Successful Daily Plans for a Person With Alzheimer’s disease
    Tuesday, June 14, 2016
    [ click here ]

    How Families Cope with Alzheimer’s disease
    Tuesday, July 12, 2016
    [ click here ]

    Reducing the Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s Disease
    Tuesday, August 9, 2016
    [ click here ]

    Medications for Alzheimer’s and other Dementias: Benefits and Side Effects
    Tuesday, September 13, 2016
    [ click here ]

    Coping with Alzheimer’s Behaviors: Skills that Can Help You Today
    Tuesday, October 11, 2016
    [ click here ]

    Amazing Ways That Music Can Help People With Memory Loss
    Tuesday, November 8, 2016
    [ click here ]

    Caregiver’s School of Hard Knocks: One Man’s Journey
    Tuesday, December 13, 2016
    [ click here ]

    Listen to past Audio Conferences

    Program and Date

    Listen

    Anxiety, Aggression and Alzheimer’s: Effective Strategies For Difficult Times
    [ click here ]

    Making the Move: Choosing a Nursing Home. Alzheimer’s Unit or Assisted Living Facility
    [ click here ]

    Minds in Motion: What’s The Best Way To Exercise Your Brain?
    [ click here ]

    “Overwhelmed? Run, Don’t Walk to Get Help Now!”
    [ click here ]

    Paying For Alzheimer’s Care: What Resources are Available?
    [ click here ]

    Specific Strategies You Can Use Today for Helping People with Memory Loss
    [ click here ]

    Sundowning Sleeplessness and Alzheimer’s
    [ click here ]

    Tune In to Music: It is a Powerful Tool
    [ click here ]

    Description:
    Are you too busy to attend an in-person education program? Our Educational Program by Phone are designed for busy people who aren’t able to attend a program outside of their home or office. Registration is easy–call or click (see below) and you will receive a toll free number to call, and materials to follow along during the program. Call from your home, office, or car. You can listen in, or if you’d like, you can even ask questions of our expert speakers.

    Successful Daily Plans for a Person With Alzheimer’s disease
    Hadi Pagonis, Manager, Education & Outreach
    Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter

    If you want to hit a home run when caring for a person with memory loss, it helps to have a game plan that is heavily focused on activities. Being an arm chair quarterback and saying, “Hey, why don’t you work on your crafts now?” just won’t work. Managing our energy while helping the person with memory loss to be actively engaged will bring satisfaction and fun to all. Join us to score some strategies for fun!

    How Families Cope with Alzheimer’s disease
    Christine Houston
    Author, “Laughing Through the Tears”
    Family members and caregivers often experience anger, fear, grief, anguish and denial as Alzheimer’s disease progresses in a loved one. Join us as Christine Houston shares how she learned that it was possible to laugh and cry at the same time, and how she eventually found some measure of peace with dementia.

    Reducing the Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s Disease
    Demetrius Maraganore, MD
    Medical Director, NorthShore Neurological Institute and Director of NorthShore’s Center for Brain Health
    Today, one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. Can anything be done to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, or to delay its onset? Dr. Demetrius Maraganore, a board-certified neurologist, will share the latest research on the management of risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

    Medications for Alzheimer’s and other Dementias: Benefits and Side Effects
    Dr. Stephanie van Ulft, MD
    Geriatric Psychiatrist, SIU School of Medicine
    What medications are currently available to treat Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias? Are the benefits worth the side effects? Dr. van Ulft, a Geriatric Psychiatrist, will discuss how these medications are prescribed, how they work, and what you can expect from them.

    Coping with Alzheimer’s Behaviors: Skills that Can Help You Today
    Melanie Adams
    Director of Education & Outreach, Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter
    As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, the person’s ability to communicate becomes impaired. This leads to increasing levels of confusion, anxiety and frustration that can result in behavioral challenges. This program will examine common communication changes in dementia, and will present strategies to improve communication between you and the person with dementia.

    Amazing Ways That Music Can Help People With Memory Loss
    Kelly Willenborg, Founder
    The Healing Jukebox
    Music can bring about amazing results for people in various stages of Alzheimer’s disease. This program will look at the evidence base for music, how to choose the right music, and what benefits you might expect from incorporating music into the daily routine of a person with dementia.

    Caregiver’s School of Hard Knocks: One Man’s Journey
    Brent Worthington
    Author, “Pull Down My Pants! And Other Things You Never Want to Hear Your Grandmother Say”
    Caring for someone with dementia can take everything you have, and then some. Author Brent Worthington recalls the lessons learned while caring for his grandmother as she lived with dementia for 6 ½ years. Brent’s stories are poignant, sad, humorous and instructional, and sure to provide lessons for fellow caregivers.

    Proper grooming can help a person with dementia maintain self-esteem

    Proper grooming can help a person with dementia maintain self-esteem

    Helping a person living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia with their appearance can promote their self-esteem. While these tasks may become frustrating for someone with Alzheimer’s in the later stages of the disease, we have tips that can simplify the process.

    Dressing and Grooming

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    Helping a person with dementia maintain his or her appearance can promote positive self-esteem.While these tasks may become frustrating for a person with Alzheimer’s in the later stages of the disease, the tips below can help simplify the process.Sign up for our e-newsletter to receive more tips on a variety of caregiving topics.

    Dressing

    Plan plenty of time when dressing or grooming someone with Alzheimer’s. Rushing the person can cause anxiety and frustration.

    As the disease progresses beyond the early stages, choosing and putting on clothes can be frustrating for the person with dementia. The person may not remember how to dress or may be overwhelmed with the choices or the task itself.

    To assist:

    • Simplify choices.
      Keep the closets free of excess clothing. A person may panic if clothing choices become overwhelming. If appropriate, give the person an opportunity to select favorite outfits or colors, but try offering just two choices.
    • Organize the process.
      Lay out clothing in the order that each item should be put on. Hand the person one item at a time while giving simple, direct instructions such as “Put on your shirt,” rather than “Get dressed.”
    • Pick comfortable and simple clothing.
      Cardigans, shirts and blouses that button in front are easier to work than pullover tops. Substitute Velcro® for buttons, snaps or zippers, which may be too difficult to handle. Make sure that clothing is loose fitting, especially at the waist and hips, and choose fabrics that are soft and stretchable.
    • Choose comfortable shoes.
      Make sure the person has comfortable, non-slip shoes.
    • Be flexible.
      If the individual wants to wear the same outfit repeatedly, buy duplicates or have similar options available. Keep in mind that it is important for the individual to maintain good personal hygiene, including wearing clean undergarments, as poor hygiene may lead to urinary tract or other infections that further complicate care.
      It’s all right if the person wants to wear several layers of clothing, just make sure he or she doesn’t get overheated. When outdoors, make sure the person is dressed for the weather. Offer praise, not criticism, if clothing is mismatched.

    Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter

    Receive tips on managing the personal care needs of the person with Alzheimer’s. Also learn how to get support and care for yourself.Subscribe now.

    Grooming

    A person with dementia may forget how to comb hair, clip fingernails or shave. He or she may forget what the purpose is for items like nail clippers or a comb.

    To assist:

    • Maintain grooming routines.
      If the person has always gone to the beauty shop or a barber, continue this activity. If the experience becomes distressing, it may be possible to have the barber or hairstylist come to the person’s home.
    • Use favorite toiletries.
      Allow the person to continue using his or her favorite toothpaste, shaving cream, cologne or makeup.
    • Perform tasks alongside the person.
      Comb your hair, and encourage the person to copy your motions.
    • Use safer, simpler grooming tools.
      Cardboard nail files and electric shavers can be less threatening than clippers and razors.

    Free live webinars in June

    Free live webinars in June

    We know you are busy and may not always be able to attend education programs in a classroom setting, so we are now offering webinars – live interactive programs conducted through the internet. These convenient programs are designed to meet the needs of the busy caregiver.

    Cost: None.

    The Alzheimer’s Association is pleased to announce its schedule of live webinars. Offered at various times throughout the day, the topics range from general awareness to specific caregiving strategies. Webinars are recorded and available to those who are unable to attend. Join us for one, or all!

    Registration

    Program

    Day

    Time
    Register

    How Anyone Can Use Art to Help a Person with Alzheimer’s
    Thursday, May 26, 2016

    2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

    [ click here ]

    How Anyone Can Use Art to Help a Person with Alzheimer’s
    Thursday, May 26, 2016
    7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
    [ click here ]

    Caregiver Burnout: What to Do When You Have Nothing Left to Give
    Thursday, June 23, 2016

    10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

    [ click here ]

    Caregiver Burnout: What to Do When You Have Nothing Left to Give
    Thursday, June 23, 2016
    2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
    [ click here ]

    Webinar Descriptions:

    Gadgets, Gizmos and Technology to Make Alzheimer’s Care Safer and Less Stressful
    You don’t have to spend a lot of money or be an expert in technology to take advantage of the many gadgets and gizmos available today. From high-tech monitors to automatic pill dispenser to sensors in the home, learn how to utilize technology to make caregiving safer and less stressful.

    How Anyone Can Use Art to Help a Person with Alzheimer’s
    Regardless of skill level, many people with dementia find great emotional and cognitive benefit in making or even viewing art. Join us as we learn the basics from a registered art therapist and licensed clinical counselor. Learn some simple tools you can use at home to aid with communication, mood, and behavior management. No art background required!

    Caregiver Burnout: What to Do When You Have Nothing Left to Give
    Alzheimer’s caregivers report higher levels of depression, illness and burnout than caregivers of those with any other condition. Find out why, and what you can do to overcome burnout and care for yourself.

    Listen to past Webinars

    Program

    Listen

    Alzheimer’s vs. Dementia: What’s the Difference, and Why Does It Matter?
    [ click here ]

    Alzheimer’s Medications: What They Are and What They Do
    [ click here ]

    Veterans – Your Service, Your Health, Our Focus
    [ click here ]

    Paying for Alzheimer’s Care: Resources to Provide Relief
    [ click here ]

    Alzheimer’s in The African-American Community: What You Need to Know
    [ click here ]