Health questions about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias go beyond understanding the science of the disease. For family caregivers, the questions are often situational and personal. Family members need information to facilitate caregiving, with referrals to legal and financial issues, and help with coping strategies and local resources for additional support.
The Alzheimer’s Association Heart of America Chapter will present a 6-part series for family caregivers and friends who care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Attend one or all sessions; resources from the Health Information Neighborhood of the library will be available for checkout.
- Family Caregiving Series, Alzheimer’s Association
- 5:30 – 7:00 p.m., Mondays , March 21 – April 25, 2016
- Marvin Auditorium 101C, Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
March 21, 2016 – “What can I expect?”
An overview of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
March 28, 2016 – “I don’t need any help”
Managing the individual’s resistance to care
April 4, 2016 – “He just sits around all day”
Explores the role of activities and structure for persons with the disease
April 11, 2016 – “Is she/he on too many medications?”
Benefits and concerns of commonly prescribed medications
April 18, 2016 – “I can’t do this anymore”
The challenges of making the placement decision; options and resources
April 25, 2016 – “I should, I ought, I have to”
A discussion of the guilt that typically goes along with the role of the caregiver
This workshop series is not intended for professional caregivers. Register by calling 785-271-1844 or emailing cindy.miller@alz.org
Local resources and recommended websites
- Alzheimer’s Association
- University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Center
- MedlinePlus Health Topic: Alzheimer’s
- Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease
- Alzheimer’s Publications
Lissa Staley
Lissa Staley helps people use the library. She is a Book Evangelist, Health Information Librarian, Trivia Emcee, Classics Made Modern book group leader, NaNoWriMo Municipal Liaison, Community Novel Project leader, HUSH podcaster, and frequent library customer. She reads a new book every few days, but recently enjoyed Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley.