The Alzheimer’s Association Western New York Chapter is planning a number of education programs across the county in August. These programs are free and open to the public.
On Aug. 4, Amherst Church of Christ, 8285 Transit Road, East Amherst, will host Effective Communication Strategies at 11:30 a.m. This program is ideal for care partners of those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia, as it offers verbal and non-verbal strategies for caregivers to more effectively understand and communicate.
The Weinberg Campus at 461 John James Audubon Parkway in Amherst will host Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors at 6 p.m. on Aug. 7. Behavior is a powerful form of communication and is one of the primary ways for people with Alzheimer’s disease to communicate their needs and feelings as the ability to use language is lost. However, some behaviors can present real challenges for caregivers to manage. This program will cover some common struggles and offer sound strategies to address them.
Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body will be presented during an event with Assemblyman David DiPietro at the East Aurora Senior Center, 101 King St., on Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. Dementia experts from the WNY Chapter office will discuss the latest research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise and cognitive activity.
On Aug. 13, The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease will be presented at the Salvation Army Golden Age Center at 960 Main St. in Buffalo at 11 a.m. This program will focus on recognizing potential warning signs of memory problems because early diagnosis is critical to ensure that families can plan for the future together, take advantage of available resources and take part in social engagement programs where they can interact and connect with others facing similar challenges.
The Chapter, working with both the Erie County Department of Senior Services and the Niagara County Office for the Aging, is also planning a Safety Night at the Amherst Center for Senior Services, 370 John James Audubon Parkway, Amherst, on Aug. 29. The two-hour open house, starting at 5:30 p.m., will include information about safety services for those living with dementia and their care partners, free safety monitoring devices, ECMC Driver Evaluation program, Amherst Police Department services, tips to prevent wandering and strategies to make the home safer.
While these programs are all free to attend, pre-registration is strongly encouraged to ensure there are enough materials and to relay any changes to the programs. To reserve a seat and learn more about any of these programs, contact the Chapter office at 1-800-272-3900.
