The Brain Health Institute (BHI) is offering a free 6-Week brain HEALTH class, Tuesday, May 21 thru June25, from 4 – 5:30. The class will focus on brain healthy behaviors for dementia caregivers, those at-risk for dementia, and those with early signs of cognitive impairment. The free course is provided with funding from Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA). To learn more about the study and determine your eligibility, please contact the Brain Health Institute at: 205.757.8947 or email Dr. Lokken atlokken@bhibrainhealth.com.
Whine & Dine at Caring Days, Tuscaloosa, May 22, noon – 1, “Talking to Children about Alzheimer’s” with Dr. Gina Noh, Associate Professor, UA School of Social Work. Lunch is free, reservation are required, 205-752-6840.
Seminar on Engaging People with Dementia in Non-Memory Care Settings, Brookwood Baptist Medical Center, Tuesday, May 21 or Thursday, May 23, 4-5 pm, Women’s Classrooms 2010 Brookwood Medical Center Drive. 205-877-1723 or Kristina.maddox@tenethealth.com. See attached flyer.
Caregivers Day Out! Thursday, May 23, Beulah Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, 10 – 2. The West Alabama Area Agency on Aging wants to celebrate you at Caregivers Day Out! Call 205-333-2990 ext. 2013 to register.
6th Annual “Shoot for a Cure”, Friday, May 24, at 9:00. Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama’s Vice President, Doug Demedicis, hosts this event in memory of his beautiful sister, Dale Evans. Doug will shoot 25 free throws. You can participate by making a pledge for every shot he makes out of 25. He has raised over $32,000 for ACAs services and hopes to raise $9,000 this year. Join Doug at the old Hewitt Middle School gym, now known as the “Red Gym”. www.alzca.org
The Brain Health Institute (BHI) (www.bhibrainhealth.com) will provide a free, confidential memory screening June 4 and July 2, from 12:30 – 2:00. Screenings last 10 minutes and consist of a series of questions and tasks designed to gauge memory, thinking, and language skills. Results will not yield a diagnosis and/or replace consultation with qualified health care provider but can provide guidance for further evaluation and treatment. 3125 Independence Drive, Suite 114 in Homewood. Call 205-757-8947 for an appointment.
Aging Symposium, June 8, Homewood Library.
Elder Abuse and Fraud Summit, United Way of Central Alabama, June 13, 10 – 3. Click here to register.
Leeds-Trussville Alzheimer’s Dementia Support Group is offering the Virtual dementia Tour, Thursday, June 13, at 6, at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Leeds. Call Bit Thomaston at 205-884-1111.
The Shelby County DHR Adult Protective Services is hosting a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Friday, June 14, at the Pelham Senior Center. 205-669-3006 or ahzshaka.johnson@drh.alabama.gov.
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is hosting a lecture “Alzheimer’s Disease from A to Z”, June 20 at Fairhaven. ACA executive director, Miller Piggott, will provide info on community resources. Contact AFA at 866-232-8484.
News to know:
Senate Bill 376 – the Alabama Family Caregiver Act – recognizes the critical role family caregivers play in keeping their loved ones out of costly institutions through three simple, no-cost provisions:
1. IDENTIFY – The name of the caregiver is recorded when a loved one is admitted into a hospital;
2. INFORM – The caregiver is notified if the loved one is to be discharged to another facility or back home; and
3. INSTRUCT – The facility provides instruction on basic tasks – such as medication management, injections, wound care, and transfers – that the caregiver will perform at home.
According to Candice Williams of AARP Alabama, Alabama lawmakers have a chance to help our state’s 761,000 family caregiver’s daily lives a bit less stressful. The bipartisan Alabama Family Caregivers Act with bipartisan co-sponsors, has already been enacted in 39 states. This commonsense legislation works to prevent hospital readmissions and helps reduce caregiver stress and expense.
Join us and tell your state Senator to support Alabama caregivers and vote YES on SB376.
UsAgainstAlzheimer’s released a paper Monday, April 29, outlining recommendations to reform the healthcare system to prioritize brain health and more effectively prevent and treat Alzheimer’s. You can read the press release here and download the full paper here. The paper recommends three core areas of action, which include making an annual brain health check-up part of the standard practice of care.
The recent surge in funding for Alzheimer’s research from the National Institute on Aging, brings with it a burgeoning demand for clinical research volunteers. An estimated 270,000 participants are needed to meet the recruitment needs of nearly 200 Alzheimer’s and related dementias clinical trials and studies. Click to learn more about research participation https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/clinical-trials
Three ways to support Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama:
CARS Do you have a seldom or unused vehicle? Consider donating it to ACA! This can be done through CARS -Charitable Adult Rides & Services. Schedule a free pick up from anywhere in the United States. Simply visithttps://alzca.careasy.org/home.html to be directed to the ACA donation page. If you have any questions call a CARS representative at 855-500-RIDE.
AmazonSmile Consider placing your online orders through AmazonSmile. It offers the same products, same prices, same service. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to ACA. ACA’S direct link is: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/63-1068096 This link allows you to skip the process of searching for a charity to support and directs you to Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama.
Planet Fundraiser offers a simple process to support ACA. Download their APP, which is listed as Planet Fundraiser, you will be directed to search and select Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama as the organization you are supporting. Once that is done you will see the many businesses that give a percentage of your purchase to ACA. A quick download of a photo of your receipt is all you need. For more info on this process visit www.planetfundraiser.com
The University of Alabama has a new program that offers private, online support groups designed for dementia caregivers. It is similar to an in-person support group, but you participate on your schedule, by using social media. You do not have to know a lot about computers. You can participate anonymously, without providing private information. Each week, health and social work experts will provide educational information. You can interact with other caregivers as much or as little as you want. Support group members are asked to log into the group at least once per week and to participate in 2 interviews. You will be compensated $30 for each interview. Contact: Dr. Nicole Ruggiano | (205)348-4654 | nruggiano@ua.edu.
Register for the free virtual “Advances in Alzheimer’s Research 2019 ONLINE SYMPOSIUM” from Technology Networks, which will highlight some of the most exciting research being conducted into Alzheimer’s disease. May 29, 2019. Register here.
Upcoming webinars from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America:
June 13th: How Technology Can Enhance Caregiving
June 20th: Making Advance Care Planning Easier
To learn more and to register, click here
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