Tag Archive for: #alzheimersassociationeasternnorthcarolina

Online Workshops In August Designed To Support Caregivers To Those Living With Dementia

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Two chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association in North Carolina are partnering with the Parkinson’s Foundation Carolinas to host a series of free virtual weekly education workshops to help those who are providing care for family members or others living with dementia.

The series is titled The Empowered Caregiver and it is designed to help caregivers by sharing activities they can apply to their specific situations.

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life, while Alzheimer’s is a specific disease and the most common cause of dementia. Parkinson’s disease dementia also falls under that umbrella term. While the disease states are different, there are similarities in caring for both forms of dementia.

“Our latest Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report shows that dementia caregivers in North Carolina face significant emotional, physical and health-related challenges as a result of caregiving,” said Christine John-Fuller, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Carolina Chapter. “Dementia is also common for individuals in later stage Parkinson’s. Our goal with this collaboration with the Parkinson’s Foundation is to offer tools and education to help caregivers feel supported and see pathways forward.”

The Empowered Caregiver education series will be offered via live webinar each Thursday in August from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. -with each week covering a new topic.

Building Foundations of Caregiving – August 1

Explores the role of caregiver and changes they may experience building a support team and managing stress.

Supporting Independence – August 8

Focuses on helping the person living with dementia take part in daily activities, providing the right amount of support and balancing safety and independence while managing expectations.

Communicating Effective – August 15

Teaches how dementia affects communication, including tips for communicating well with family, friends and health care professionals.

Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors – August 22

Details common behavior changes and how they’re a form of communication, non-medical approaches to behaviors and recognizing when help is needed.

Exploring Care and Support Services – August 29

Examines how best to prepare for future care decisions and changes, including respite care, residential care and end of life care.

“We are excited about this partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association because no matter the disease, care partners need help,” says Diana Parrish, senior advancement director, Carolinas Chapter of the Parkinson’s Foundation. “As a care partner for 19 years, we have found that the Parkinson’s Foundation’s resources, services, and programs have helped us on this journey!”

There is no charge to participate, but registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link for the series. To sign-up, visit tinyurl.com/CaregiverAugust or call 800.272.3900.

Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day May 7 In Downtown Raleigh

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The Alzheimer’s Association is sponsoring North Carolina Advocacy Day on Tuesday, May 7 in downtown Raleigh to promote awareness for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

The Eastern and Western chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association are teaming up to turn the State Capitol area purple from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., but they need your help.

The event is free, but registration is required to ensure an accurate headcount. Attendees will be asked to participate in a training call prior to the event.  Sign up at tinyurl.com/ALZNCStateAdvocacyDay2024 or by calling 800-272-3900.

The event begins at the North Carolina Museum of History and will be an opportunity for the public and those affected by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia to take action and speak up for the needs and rights of people living with and their families. Attendees will learn about the legislative process, meet face-to-face with elected officials, share their stories with key decision makers and bring awareness to the importance of the Alzheimer’s Association’s public policy priorities.

“Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most critical public health issues in America,” said Katherine L. Lambert, Alzheimer’s Association regional leader for the Carolinas and Georgia.

“This is why we unrelentingly advocate for public policies that increase quality of life and support all those affected,” Lambert said. “Representation from our communities across North Carolina is paramount. That’s why we urge as many people as possible to join us for our North Carolina Advocacy Day. By working together, we are making an impact.”

Attendees will hear an overview of the public health crisis of Alzheimer’s in North Carolina. They will also learn more about North Carolina’s first and only dementia-specific state respite care plan, Project C.A.R.E. (Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty), including its current funding limits and why a funding increase has become necessary.  Advocates will be speaking to elected officials and their designated representatives regarding a few key areas:

  • Codifying the Dementia-Capable North Carolina State Plan to ensure infrastructure is established to address the growing dementia crisis.
  • Establishing evidence-based training for court appointed guardians for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
  • Learning of the importance of dementia-specific training for all Adult Protective Services workers in the field throughout North Carolina.

Learn more about Alzheimer’s at alz.org/facts.

TownTalk: Walk To End Alzheimer’s Oct. 7

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The upcoming Walk to End Alzheimer’s will take place in downtown Raleigh in a couple of weeks, and event organizers have set a lofty fundraising goal – $460,000. The event is free, but Lisa Roberts, executive director of the Eastern North Carolina Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, hopes that the wider community will come together to donate to the cause.

The walk is centered around Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh and is the second largest in the state for the Alzheimer’s Association, Roberts said. There are 17 walks planned across the state, just a handful of the more than 600 that will take place across the country – all to support research, outreach and education surrounding Alzheimer’s and related dementia. The overall state goal is $1.3 million.

Check-in begins at 9 a.m. and the walk will commence following a welcome at 10 a.m.

Roberts said there will be plenty to do for those who want to show their support in ways other than walking the approximately 1-mile route around the State Capitol building.

Halifax Mall will have live music, a DJ, a Kid Zone and more for the public to enjoy.

The money that the walk raises “allows us to increase our research footprint, provide care and support – free or at nominal cost – to all those impacted” by Alzheimer’s.

Each walk that the Alzheimer’s Association sponsors has a special “promise garden ceremony,” Roberts said. Participants hold flowers of a particular color – depending on how their lives have been touched by Alzheimer’s or related dementia disorder.

“It’s a way to identify your connection,” she said, whether you’re a caregiver, someone with a personal connection or a supporter.

Supporters like Roberts, who lost her own mother to the disease, envision a world without Alzheimer’s.

A lot of money goes into research across the globe in search of a cure or new treatment for Alzheimer’s and dementia, Roberts said. According to her statistics, there are more than 180,000 people across North Carolina who are living with Alzheimer’s or related dementia. “Those folks have over 360,000 family and friends who are providing care,” she said. For that reason, it’s important to have money for programs that support the caregivers, too.

To register for the Oct. 7 walk, visit alz.org/walk or call 800-272.3900.

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Free Alzheimer’s Association Workshops in NC in February; Diagnosis, Care Plans, Living With

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The Alzheimer’s Association’s chapters in North Carolina are joining forces to host a three-part virtual education series on Wednesdays in February.

The Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern North Carolina Chapter and the Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter will present different topics designed to help families learn more about the disease and how to help themselves and their family members suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s.

According to a press release from the Alzheimer’s Association, the workshops are open to individuals who have received a recent diagnosis or are in the early stages of dementia-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s. In addition, anyone interested in learning more about planning, resources, and services that are available may also attend.

There is no charge to attend the workshops, and participants can sign up for any or all three. Registration is required, however. To sign up, visit tinyurl.com/NavigatingALZFeb2021 or call 1-800-272-3900.

“The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is life-changing and leads to many questions so this program is invaluable for recently diagnosed individuals and their care partners,” said Lisa Roberts, Executive Director of the Eastern North Carolina Chapter. “We want them to know that they are not alone and that we are here for them from the beginning of a diagnosis and throughout their journey with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.”

The first workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 10 from noon – 1:15 p.m. Dr. Mark Pippinger, a behavioral neurologist with Novant Health, will lead the session titled “Navigating a Dementia Diagnosis: What does this diagnosis mean?” and will help participants understand the disease and the diagnostic process, as well as symptoms and approaches to managing care with professionals.

The second workshop is scheduled for Feb. 17 from noon-1:15 p.m. A panel of experts will discuss care plans and care teams, as well as provide a legal and financial overview and how a diagnosis can affect relationships with family and friends. The program is titled “Navigating a Dementia Diagnosis: The Power of Planning” and panelists include Corinne Auman (family caregiving and aging expert), Alyssa Botte (psychotherapist in memory counseling), and Marjorie Brown (elder law attorney).

The final workshop is scheduled for Feb. 24, again from noon to 1:15 p.m. Alzheimer’s Association Early-Stage Advisors will share their experiences of living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. This workshop is titled “Navigating a Dementia Diagnosis: Live Well.”

According to statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association, 180,000 North Carolina residents are living with Alzheimer’s disease and 479,000 family members and friends provide unpaid care to their loved ones suffering from this disease. Visit http://www.alz.org/facts/ to learn more.

The Alzheimer’s Association’s mission, through accelerating global research and early detection, is to end Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

The Eastern North Carolina chapter provides patient and family services, information and referral, education, and advocacy in 51 eastern North Carolina counties. It offers opportunities to get involved and to make a difference, in addition to a variety of services including: a 24/7 Helpline, support groups, educational programs, and MedicAlert®.

For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, or the Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern North Carolina Chapter, visit www.alz.org/nc or call 800-272-3900.

VGCC to host free Dementia Awareness programs

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Vance-Granville Community College will soon host a pair of free programs for the public to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia. These educational programs are being facilitated by the Alzheimer’s Association Eastern North Carolina Chapter.

Both events are set to be held on Tuesday, March 21, in the Civic Center on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County (located at exit 209 on Interstate 85). First, “The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease” will be offered from 10-11 a.m. “Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors” follows from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The first workshop is designed for anyone who would like to know more about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, which are not a normal part of aging.

The second workshop focuses specifically on behavior, one of the primary ways for people with dementia to communicate their needs and feelings as their ability to use language deteriorates. Some behaviors can present challenges for caregivers to manage. Attendees will learn to “decode” behaviors, identify common behavior triggers and learn strategies to help intervene with some of the most common behavioral challenges of Alzheimer’s disease.

VGCC Dean of Health Sciences Angela Thomas and Human Services Technology (HST) program head Tracy Wallace have collaborated with the Raleigh-based Alzheimer’s Association chapter to bring these programs to campus. The HST program, accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education, is based at VGCC’s South Campus between Creedmoor and Butner. The curriculum prepares students for entry-level positions in institutions and agencies which provide social, community, and educational services. In addition to a general HST track and a Substance Abuse track, VGCC offers a Gerontology track, which prepares students to specialize in direct service delivery work to older adults and their families.

To register for one or both of the free March 21 programs, visit bit.ly/2lyqCIp for the first and bit.ly/2lrBB9V for the second, or call 1-800-272-3900.

For more information, contact the Alzheimer’s Association Eastern North Carolina Chapter at 919-803-8285 or Tracy Wallace at (252) 738-3519.

–VGCC–