Register today for the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum

The relentless efforts of advocates of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, our sister organization, have resulted in historic Alzheimer’s research funding increases at the National Institutes of Health and greater access to care and support services. But with a new administration and a new Congress on the way, there’s more critical work to be done. Join us at the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum March 27-29 to learn about the global and national impact of Alzheimer’s and how to deliver our powerful messages to elected officials.

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Educate yourself with our free webinar recordings

Couldn’t tune in for one of our live webinars? Don’t worry, all of our previous webinars are recorded and available for you to view. Webinar topics range from general awareness to specific care-giving strategies and educational information.

The Alzheimer’s Association is pleased to announce its schedule of free 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!

Watch Past Webinars

? Upcoming Webinars (view description & register)

Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s: What’s the difference & why it matters
Thursday | December 15, 2016 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body: Tips from the Latest Research
Tuesday | January 24, 2017 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

The Stressed Out Caregiver: How to Get Help Now
Thursday | February 9, 2017 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Legal Planning for Alzheimer’s disease
Thursday | February 23, 2017 | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Paying for Alzheimer’s Care: What Resources are Available
Wednesday | March 8, 2017 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Managing Agitated Behavior in Dementia
Tuesday | March 28, 2017 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

“How You Say It” – Making Matters Worse (or Better) by How We Communicate
Tuesday | April 4, 2017 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

What Everyone Needs to Know About Hospice Care
Wednesday | May 3, 2017 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Why Veterans Are at an Increased Risk for Alzheimer’s
Wednesday | May 17, 2017 | 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. or 8:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Gadgets, Gizmos and Technology to Make Dementia Care Safer and Easier
Thursday | June 15, 2017 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

? Watch Past Webinars

Red wine, vitamins and Alzheimer’s: Do they work?
11.16.16

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s: How To Prepare For The Appointment
10.25.16

Why are evenings so difficult? Sundowning & Alzheimer’s disease
10.13.16

Conozca Las 10 Senales De Advertencia
10.05.16

Improving cognition: How to use the senses for people with dementia
09.21.16

How to use simple physical activities to benefit people with dementia
09.13.16

Caregivers speak: I wish I knew then what I know now
08.25.16

How you can use music to help a person with Alzheimer’s
08.10.16

Learning to connect: Relating to the person with Alzheimer’s
07.12.16

Gadgets, gizmos and technology to make Alzheimer’s care safer and less stressful
05.12.16

Alzheimer’s medications: What they are and what they do
04.22.16

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Experts have hope for an Alzheimer’s drug to be developed by 2025

Experts believe that some form of a new Alzheimer’s drug will be developed by 2025, despite negative results of recent Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials. Leading scientists believe there is still great hope for novel therapies in the relative short term, most likely pilot versions that will need to be upgraded.

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Award winning film raises money for Alzheimer’s disease

More than 100 people recently attended a premiere for Dragonfly at the Chicago Music Box Theater to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. The film, about a woman returning home when her mom is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, was written and produced by Cara Green Epstein. Cara lives in Chicago, working with adults with early stage Alzheimer’s. If you missed the premiere, you can still see the movie on DVD or Amazon instant video.

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Proper dental care is important for a person living with Alzheimer’s

An individual living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia may forget how to brush his or her teeth or forget why it’s important. As a caregiver, you may have to assist or take a more hands-on approach. Proper oral care is necessary to prevent eating difficulties, digestive problems and infections.

As Alzheimer’s progresses, the person with dementia may forget how to brush his or her teeth or forget why it’s important. As a caregiver, you may have to assist or take a more hands-on approach. Proper oral care is necessary to prevent eating difficulties, digestive problems and infections.

• Daily oral care
• Working with the dentist

Daily oral care

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, dental care focuses on prevention. Getting check-ups and cleaning and flossing teeth regularly can prevent the need for extensive procedures later on, when the person with dementia may be less able to tolerate them.

During the middle and late stages of Alzheimer’s, oral health may become more challenging. The person may forget what to do with toothpaste or how to rinse, or may be resistant to assistance from others. Try these tips:

• Loss of appetite may be a sign of mouth pain or ill fitting-dentures.

  Provide short, simple instructions.
  Explain dental care by breaking directions into steps. “Brush your teeth” by itself may be too vague. Instead, walk the person through the process. Say: “Hold your toothbrush.” “Put paste on the brush.” Then, “Brush your teeth.”

• Use a “watch me” technique.
  Hold a toothbrush and show the person how to brush his or her teeth. Or, put your hand over the person’s hand, gently guiding the brush. If the person seems agitated or uncooperative, postpone brushing until later in the day.
• Keep the teeth and mouth clean.
  Brush the person’s teeth at least twice a day, with the last brushing after the evening meal and any nighttime liquid medication. Allow plenty of time and find a comfortable position if you must do the brushing yourself. Gently place the toothbrush in the person’s mouth at a 45 degree angle so you massage gum tissue as you clean the teeth.

If the person wears dentures, rinse them with plain water after meals and brush them daily to remove food particles. Each night, remove them and soak in a cleanser or mouthwash. Then, use a soft toothbrush or moistened gauze pad to clean the gums, tongue and other soft mouth tissues.

• Try different types of toothbrushes.
  You may find that a soft bristled children’s toothbrush works better than a hard bristled adult’s brush. Or that a long handled or angled brush is easier to use than a standard toothbrush. Experiment until you find the best choice. Be aware that electric dental appliances may confuse a person with Alzheimer’s.
• Floss regularly.
  Most dentists recommend flossing daily. If using floss is distressing to the person with Alzheimer’s, try using a “proxabrush” to clean between teeth instead.
• Be aware of potential mouth pain.
  Investigate any signs of mouth discomfort during mealtime. Refusing to eat or strained facial expressions while eating may indicate mouth pain or dentures that don’t fit properly.

For more tips, join ALZConnected, our online support community where caregivers like you share their ideas. You can also sign up for our e-newsletter to receive tips on a variety of caregiving topics.

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Working with the dentist

• Find the right dentist.
  Contact your local dental society to find the names of professionals who have experience working with people with dementia or with elderly patients.
• Coordinate care.
  Provide the dentist with a list of all health care providers who are caring for the person with dementia, as well as a list of all medications. Certain medications can contribute to dry mouth and other oral health issues.
• Keep up with regular dental visits for as long as possible.
  This will help prevent tooth decay, gum problems, pain and infection.

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