MUSCATINE, Iowa–Muscatine residents care deeply about helping people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias and working to find a cure for these diseases. From participating in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s to hosting clever seasonal fundraisers to attending Muscatine’s Alzheimer’s support group, Muscatine rallies around this cause. Though getting together in the winter can prove tricky, the Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter will provide a new opportunity this January and February for Muscatine County residents to educate themselves about Alzheimer’s and other dementias and get support. Beginning this week, the Alzheimer’s association will host a series of free online education opportunities.
With the new year just beginning, the timing felt right to the Alzheimer’s Association to offer a new opportunity for people to learn and connect with experts from the safety and comfort of their own homes. “As we start the year, it was important to the Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter to provide a variety of education topics so that care partners have access to education and resources,” stated Community Engagement Specialist Megan Pedersen.
The online education opportunities will take place throughout January and February. Three sessions, “Living with Alzheimer’s for Caregivers, Early, Middle, and Late Stage” will each take a look at the progression of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, what caregivers can expect, and how they can help improve quality of life for the person they care for. Scheduled for Jan. 12, Feb. 9, and 16 respectively from 3:30 to 5 p.m., these sessions will provide caregivers with knowledge and provide them with support as they prepare to face the challenges ahead.
Two other online presentations, “New Advances in Alzheimer’s Treatment,” set for Jan. 19 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and “Legal and Financial Issues” planned for Jan. 26 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. will cover broader topics of interest for people caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. These will include an overview of current treatments for Alzheimer’s symptoms as well as the newly approved drug aduhelm as well as some of the most common financial and legal issues associated for caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, how to plan to address these concerns, and what local resources can assist with these processes.
Anyone who cares for a person with Alzheimer’s, has Alzheimer’s or another dementia, or who knows someone with one of these diseases can benefit from these educational opportunities. Completely free to participants, you may register for any or all of these sessions up until they start by visiting the Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter website. Alternately, you may call the Alzheimer’s Association at 800-272-3900 for assistance with signing up.
For a community so interested in helping people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, Pedersen believes participants will find these online learning sessions quite meaningful. “I would encourage people to attend these programs because of the valuable information that is available through the programs and an opportunity to learn about the resources that are available,” she said. In March, the Alzheimer’s Association plans to offer a series of online presentations specifically for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias as well.
