The 2017 Wake Forest Dementia Awareness Education Series begins Thursday, July 20, with “The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.” The series continues Thursday, Aug. 17, with “Effective Communications Strategies” and concludes Thursday, Sept. 21, with “Understanding & Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors.” Each session will take place inside the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre at 405 Brooks Street.
Presented by the Renaissance Centre and the Alzheimer’s Association of Eastern North Carolina, these workshops will address a variety of dementia-related topics while also offering local families the opportunity to learn about dozens of related programs, services, products, and resources – all in one location.
“The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease” on July 20 is intended for anyone interested in learning more about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
“Effective Communications Strategies” on Aug. 17 will provide tips on how to have honest and caring conversations with family members about deciding when to stop driving, going to the doctor and making legal and financial decisions.
“Understanding & Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors” on Sept. 21 will focus on behavior as one of the primary ways people with dementia communicate their needs and feelings as the ability to use language is lost. However, some behaviors can present challenges for caregivers to manage. Area residents are invited to attend this session and learn how 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.
Each seminar will feature a different speaker and include professional vendors that specialize in providing assistance to family members of people with dementia. Registration and vendor exhibits for each session are scheduled from 9 to 9:30 a.m., followed by the program from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
The sessions are free, but online pre-registration is required at www.wakeforestnc.gov/dementia-awareness-education-series.aspx. A limited number of seats are available for each seminar, so early pre-registration is encouraged.
