Iowans invited to participate in virtual Alzheimer’s conference

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) will host a free virtual Alzheimer’s educational conference for Iowa residents on Wednesday, June 30, from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. as part of its 2021 national Educating America Tour. The conference, which is free and open to everyone, will allow participants to learn from, and ask questions of, health, caregiving and legal experts. To register, go to www.alzfdn.org/tour.

“Knowledge is a useful and powerful tool that can help make any situation easier to navigate, especially something as challenging as caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s President & CEO. “Connecting families with useful, practical information and support that can help them now and be better prepared for the future is what this conference is all about. Whether Alzheimer’s is affecting your family, you are a caregiver or just want to learn more, you can participate in this free virtual conference from the comfort of your home or office.”

Sessions during the AFA virtual conference will include:

Saving Your Brain – Patricia Quinlisk, MD, MPH, D. Sc. (Hon) Dementia Prevention Instructor with the Saving Your Brain Campaign, and former Medical Director and State Epidemiologist at the Iowa Department of Public Health, will provide steps to take to reduce your risk of developing dementia. She will discuss the role that diet, exercise, medications, sleep, and stress have on brain health, as well as incorporating adult behavior change methods and tools to assist and support lifestyle changes.

Details, Details, Details… Legal Issues Surrounding Aging, Diminished Capacity and Care Planning – It is essential to have the right legal documents in place when diagnosed with a dementia-related illness. Chad Eichorn, Esq., from West Des Moines, a Member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and attorney with the firm of Pearson Bollman Law, will talk about the importance of estate planning and will focus on elder law issues most impacted by diminished capacity diagnosis, including Power of Attorney, capacity to execute documents, estate planning options, and benefit qualification to help pay for assisted living and long-term care.

Becoming an Exceptional Caregiver– Families provide the majority of care for older adults but the way they provide that care is changing. Caregiving can be an overwhelming responsibility. Kay Vanags, BS, LBSW, Elder Mediator and LifeLong Links Director at the Aging Resources of Central Iowa, will discuss typical emotional reactions, explore the many risk factors faced by caregivers, and examine why some caregivers struggle providing care. She will provide advice and insight on how to improve your caregiving experience.

AFA will take attendees on a virtual tour of its new, first-of-its-kind, model, dementia-friendly apartment with more than 30 features and modifications to improve quality of life for individuals with dementia and increase calmness and safety. From the color contrast in each room to the décor, furniture patterns, smart technology, lighting, furniture, and appliances, every modification serves a unique purpose.

For more information or to register, go to www.alzfdn.org/tour. Those who cannot participate in the virtual conference or have immediate questions about Alzheimer’s disease can connect with licensed social workers seven days a week through AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline by calling 866-232-8484 or web chatting at www.alzfdn.org by clicking the blue and white chat icon in the right-hand corner of the page. The web chat feature is available in more than 90 languages.