The Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation will host a free educational conference for Tennessee residents on June 15. The meeting will be held virtually from 11:00 am to 1:45 pm Eastern Standard Time.
According to the AFA, more than 6.2 million Americans and more than 120,000 Tennessees live with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking, language, and ability to perform the simplest tasks and is the most common cause of dementia. However, dementia itself is not a disease, but a term used to describe symptoms such as memory loss, loss of judgment, and other intellectual functions.
“Knowledge is a useful and powerful tool that helps us navigate through all situations, especially as difficult as caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease,” said AFA President and CEO. Charles J. Fushiro Jr. said in a press release. “It’s all about connecting families with useful and practical information and support that can help them now and better prepare for the future. Alzheimer’s disease is affecting your family. Whether you are a caregiver, a caregiver, or just want to know more, you can join this free virtual meeting from the comfort of your home or office. “
The conference will include presentations by Frederick A. Schmidt on the development of Alzheimer’s disease, Chelsea Riddle on Alzheimer’s disease as a public health problem, and Lynnwood on the difficult behaviors caregivers may face.
Schmidt is a professor of neurology at the Sanders Brown Aging Center at the University of Kentucky Neuroscience Institute and a member of the AFA Medical, Science and Memory Screening Advisory Board. Riddle is a registered nurse and dementia-friendly community coordinator at the Patient Care Advocacy Office of the Tennessee Department of Health in Nashville.
Wood is a Certified Dementia Specialist and Certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer. She is a Caregiver Support Coordinator for Mental Health America in South Central Tennessee.
“Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia,” Wood said. “What you have is a change in personality. I’m having a hard time communicating. The visual decline is starting to cause mobility problems.”
Alzheimer’s disease has three stages: early, middle, and late. Early signs of Alzheimer’s disease include forgetting words or something you just read, misplaced things, asking questions over and over, making plans, and organizing names when meeting new people. There are more things I don’t remember. Mid-term symptoms include increased memory loss and confusion, cognitive problems with family and friends, continuous repetition of stories and favorite desires and movements, performing complex tasks and handling personal finances. Choose the right clothing to wear for diminished competence, lack of hygiene or appearance concerns, days, seasons, or occasions.
In the late stages, there is almost complete memory loss. Individuals recognize faces but forget their names, mistake people for others, experience delusions, and need to keep something close to them for tactile stimulation, upbringing, companionship, and comfort. You may feel strong. At this stage, basic abilities such as eating, walking, and sitting can be difficult, and an individual may need to support all basic activities of daily life.
“As caregivers, we need to adapt to people with dementia symptoms and Alzheimer’s disease, because those diagnosed can no longer adapt to us. [Their] The brains are getting worse and they no longer have that ability, “Wood said. “We can deal with all the possibilities of diagnosing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease: crouching, shadowing, wandering, hallucinations, delusions.” Mama, because there is no one there. Please get over it. ” Because in their reality there is someone in the corner. Therefore, you need to be able to communicate and redirect them. “
For more information or to register for the meeting, please visit: www.alzfdn.org/tour.. If you are unable to attend a virtual meeting or have immediate questions about Alzheimer’s disease, call 866-232-8484 or contact a licensed social worker through AFA’s national free helpline on the following web chat. I can do it. www.alzfdn.org..
“We need a village to raise older people who live with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia,” Wood said. “So, don’t be shy and don’t be afraid, we all need to get together to discuss it. And at a meeting like this, the more we know, the less fear of this journey.”
