‘Think About It’: Dementia care conference set

LAKE PLACID— The Alzheimer’s Association will be hosting a dementia care conference from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22 at the Genesis Center, at 218 E. Belleview St. The free conference is appropriately themed “Think About It.”

Stephanie Thomas-Wardlow, director of early stage programs, explained the purpose of the conference.

“We are trying to educate family and professional caregivers and the community to be more confident and comfortable in their caregiving roles,” she said.

The Alzheimer’s Association has been putting on the same types of educational conferences in Polk County for the past five years and received a grant to host it in Highlands County. Thomas-Wardlow would like to see the conferences in Highlands County held annually also.

The morning will start off with refreshments and a health fair where guests can speak to various vendors one on one. Representatives from elder law, assisted living and skilled facilities will be on hand to assist caregivers.

“We have vendors for caregivers to visit and talk to different organizations and maybe help plan out their journey,” Thomas-Wardlow said. “What it looks like now, but also in the future.”

Keynote speaker Viki Kind is a clinical bioethicist, hospice volunteer, author and a family caregiver. She will be speaking on many aspects of caring for those affected by the memory-robbing disease. Kind will give advice on safety and risks.

“Viki will talk about the risk of caregiver burn-out,” Thomas-Warlow said.

“Caregivers will need to learn how to evaluate themselves. They could be in the middle of being burned out and not even know it because they have been in that role for so long,” she added.

Dr. Catherine Cruickshank will be giving an overview on Alzheimer’s. She will explain the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and bring the latest research developments to light. A licensed clinical social worker will discuss how to find resources and utilize them and build a safety net that includes family.

The Memory Mobile, a mobile office, will be parked outside of the Genesis Center and provide additional resources and care consultation.

“We will be able to talk to people specifically about the 10 warning signs and what they need to look for to move forward to get a diagnosis, if that’s what they decide to do,” Thomas-Wardlow said. “We try to encourage them to have that conversation with their doctor.”

The Alzheimer’s Association will provide forms to help out with verbiage during a doctor’s visit.

“This year, the conference is very practical, full of lots of tools to help caregivers put things into place and feel more comfortable in their role,”she said.

A complimentary lunch will also be served. Registration is required.

For those who are unable to make the March 22 date, there is another conference in Lakeland at Highlands Park Church from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 23.

For more information and to register, visit alz.org/flgulfcoast.