Alzheimer's Association's Upcoming Events

Alzheimer’s Association’s 23rd Annual Education Conference

to be held in East Peoria on Tuesday, April 29

Legislative Update and Family Caregiver Night

set for Monday, April 28

PEORIA -- Healthcare professionals, caregivers, and the general public are invited to attend the 23^rd Annual Alzheimer’s Association Professional Education Conference on Tuesday, April 29 at the Par-A-Dice Hotel, 21 Blackjack Blvd. The conference runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and features a variety of presenters, workshops and exhibits.

Scheduled speakers include:

• Dr. Dean Hartley PhD, Director of Science Initiatives, Alzheimer’s Association National Headquarters, Chicago, Illinois, who will give an update on research into Alzheimer’s disease;
• Jolene Brackey, Founder and CEO, Enhanced Moments, Poison, MT, who will talk about understanding the losses that people with dementia experience as the brain dies and how we can assist in compensating for these losses; practical verbal and nonverbal communication skills which help the person feel heard and supported; how to creatively and effectively turn challenging situations into moments of joy
• Dori Bollinger Thompson, Master Mnema Trainer, Art Without Boundaries Association, Chillicothe, Ill, who will define mnema therapy and explain the differences between mnema therapy and art therapy and discuss the use of mnema therapy to enhance memory and improve communication to treating people with dementia

The registration fee is $100 and includes lunch, materials and networking opportunities. Seven (7) contract/ clock hours for those in the health care field are available for an additional fee. For information or to register, call the Alzheimer’s Association-Central Illinois Chapter at 309.681.1100 or toll free at 800.272.3900.

For a complete schedule of events and speakers, visit alz.org/illinoiscentral and click on “Professional Training.”

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Family Caregiver Night – Monday, April 28

Family caregivers are invited to attend an informal evening program where they will learn how to care for a loved one with friendship, respect, empathy, trust and humor at the Alzheimer's Association Family Caregiver Night. The program will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, April 28 at the Par-A-Dice Hotel.

Entitled “Facing New Challenges and Building Solutions,” the cost is $5. It is sponsored by the Central Illinois Agency on Aging and the Lee L. Morgan Family Fund.

Featured speakers are Dr. Julia Biernot of the Illinois Neurological Institute in Peoria, local attorney Susan Dawson-Tibbits of Peoria and Jolene Brackey, Alzheimer’s author and speaker will present “Creating moments of Joy.”  

Registration is required. Cost is $5 per person. To register, or for more information, contact the Central Illinois Chapter at 800.272.3900 or 309.681.1100. Additional information is available at alz.org/illinoiscentral.

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Legislative Priorities – Monday, April 28

Family caregivers and the general public who advocate for people living with Alzheimer’s disease are invited to attend the Alzheimer’s Association – Central Illinois Chapter’s 2014 Legislative Priorities update where they will learn important details and revisions to the federal and state Alzheimer’s plans. On Monday, April 28,  from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Par-A-Dice Hotel in East Peoria, Illinois constituents will hear about key legislative support initiatives, get an update from the Illinois Coalition Network,  listen to remarks from  17^th and 18^th congressional districts representatives and learn about the transformer system from Officer Mark Molleck. Additionally,  Dean Hartley, PhD, Director of Science Initiatives, Alzheimer’s Association National Headquarters, Chicago, Illinois, will summarize some of the innovative research on Alzheimer’s disease. Skype technologies will be used so constituents from Ottawa and Quincy may also listen to this important information, and a 30 minute question and answer session for media will be set aside at the end of the presentation.

To register, call 1-800-272-3900.