Education for people touched by Alzheimer's disease
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Whether you have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or are caring for someone who has, the Alzheimer’s Association can help.
Our Community Education Courses are designed to increase your understanding of the stages of the disease and help you learn effective coping skills for the difficult behaviors you may encounter as well as provide resources for daily living, medical care and legal assistance.Some classes are held over a period of six weeks while others may meet only once. Savvy Caregiver and some of the programs requiring extensive materials suggest a small donation per individual participant or family. Please take note as you register.
In addition, some courses have a prerequisite so please review the description of the course for which you plan to register. Community courses such as Early Stage Orientation are held specifically for those with the disease and encourage family members and friends to attend as well.
Each course description offers information about who should attend: people with Alzheimer’s, family members, friends, long distance caregivers and/or community members.
Course descriptions
Alzheimer’s Disease and Cultural Considerations: Research notes that cultural norms, values, and framework give meaning to illness. Such cultural meanings among family members can often create barriers to seeking assistance outside the family system. This program offers additional insight to families and caregivers of those from diverse ethnicities.
Caregiving Tips: Activities for People with Memory Loss
This class covers the importance of activities for the person with dementia, and how to design and structure activities that promote contented involvement and enhance quality of life. This class is for family, friends, professionals and volunteer caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.
Caregiving Tips: Caring from a Distance
Are you caring for someone living in another town or state? Increase your knowledge of dementia, and learn how to be a more effective caregiver from a distance.
Caregiving Tips: Successful Communication
This class covers successful communication skills for interacting with people with dementia, as well as how to assess and respond to behaviors. Special programs focusing on Ethnic Minority Elders are available.
Caregiving Tips: Ensuring Safety
Everyday safety is essential in order to maintain quality of life for the person with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Get practical tips for addressing safety issues in the home and community including wandering. Learn about Medic Alert + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return enrollment program.
Caregiving Tips: In case of Emergency
From coping with something as simple as a brief power outage to evacuating in the face of a pending storm, you and your family face particular challenges in order to address the needs of your loved one with dementia. Learn how to manage and how to prepare for everything from the smallest to the largest disaster.
Caregiving Tips: Late Stage Care
During the late stages of the disease the symptoms of Alzheimer’s often become more physical and the demands on the caregiver more challenging. Learn about methods that are effective in providing care and comfort for your loved one, information about the dying process as well as coping skills for dealing with your own sense of loss and grief.
Caregiving Tips: Selecting a Care Community
This seminar provides families with important tips on selecting an appropriate care facility, determining when it’s time to make the transition and how to make the transition successful for the person with Alzheimer’s as well as other members of the family.
Getting Started When the Diagnosis is Dementia
This workshop provides basic information to families and caregivers for people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Topics include an overview of Alzheimer’s, legal and financial options and managing daily challenges. A suggested $15 donation includes lunch and materials.
Maintain Your Brain
Take steps toward a brain-healthy future. This interactive workshop gives you the tools to make brain health part of your overall wellness goals.
Memory Café
This special gathering is designed for people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s to share memories, music, and fun with caregivers, spouses, family members. In addition to great social interaction, information about Alzheimer’s disease and Association support services is also made available. Many locations are planning special holiday celebrations. Check with your local office for details.
Memory Loss and Diabetes: Is there a link?
If you have type 2 Diabetes, are at risk of developing it, or know someone who lives with diabetes, this session is for you. Learn about the importance of good brain health management for diabetics in an effort to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s-type dementia. Special programs focusing on Ethnic Minority Elders are available.
Memory Loss and Heart Disease: Is there a link?
Do you suffer from high blood pressure or high cholesterol? Then this program is for you. Research has found that the progression of certain changes in the brain was more pronounced among ethnic minorities, especially those at risk for heart disease. The same measures for preventing heart attack and stroke – exercise, healthy diet, medications for conditions such as high blood pressure – might also guard against "more subtle changes" in mental function. Special programs focusing on Ethnic Minority Elders are available.
Orientation to Early Alzheimer’s Disease
This free introductory seminar is for individuals who have been diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s, or a related memory disorder and their family and friends. Topics include beginning changes, common decisions and the first steps in care.
Research Update in Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
This program offers information and updates on the latest research efforts to find effective interventions for preventing, stopping, and reversing this leading cause of decline in memory and cognitive functioning.
Savvy Caregiver
Caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease is a specialty requiring specific skills that contribute to the well being of both the caregiver and the person with the disease. This 12-hour (6-week) course trains family caregivers in how to assess the abilities of a person with dementia, and feel more confident in the skills of caregiving. This 6-week course may be condensed for rural communities and may also be offered in a one day six-hour session or over the course of three weeks. The prerequisite for rural classes is also waived. Attendance at all classes is required.
Savvy Caregiver Update
Alumni of the Savvy Caregiver Series are invited to join us for a chance to reunite with fellow Savvy caregivers, share caregiving successes and enhance skills learned during the Savvy program.
Taking Action: Living with Memory Loss
This program is designed for people with memory loss related to early dementia or Alzheimer's disease who want to take an active role in managing and discussing life changes and participate in mentally and physically stimulating activities.
Understanding Memory Loss and Dementia
What are the differences between Alzheimer's, other dementias, and normal memory loss due to aging? Learn about the Alzheimer's disease process, the programs offered by the Colorado Chapter, and the community resources available for both the person with Alzheimer's and the caregiver.
