In February, the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter will offer a new free month long workshop to all dementia or Alzheimer’s caregivers on how holistic approaches including aromatherapy, music and art therapy and yoga can positively impact the day to day lives of the 540,000 Georgia unpaid caregivers. Each Wednesday in February will have one of the four workshops. The first workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, February 3 from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
“Oftentimes we look to medicinal interventions when supporting someone living with dementia who is experiencing behavioral changes, but there are also alternative options that can help”, added Rebekah Davis, Program Director Lead, Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter. “Utilizing such options is important to ensuring a more holistic approach to care. Alternative approaches can also create a more meaningful experience for both the caregiver and the person living with dementia”, Davis added.
Each workshop will feature a special guest that is an expert on different therapies:
• Wednesday. February 3 – Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia with Aromatherapy. Special guest is Jamie Gilbert, certified aromatherapist.
• Wednesday, February 10 – Dementia Related Behaviors with Music Therapy. Special guest is Danna Lee Smith from Music Links.
• Wednesday, February 17 – Effective Communication Strategies with Art Therapy. Special guest is Justin Davis from Mercy Care Rome.
• Wednesday, February 24 – Healthy Living for your Brain and Body with Yoga. Special guest is Kathy Alvarez from Steel Power Yoga.
To register for Dementia Care: A Holistic Approach Series, visit http://bit.ly/36bVyXW. The programs are free, but registration is required. Once registered, participants will be sent conferencing details prior to the date of each virtual program.
The Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter continues to offer free virtual education programs and online support groups to help all Georgia caregivers and their families. Launched in early April in response to the impact COVID-19 was having on those affected by dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association now offers a number of education programs that can help those living with Alzheimer’s and their families understand what to expect so they can be prepared to meet the changes ahead.
Other free education programs in February include:
10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s
Wednesday, February 3rd 11:00am-12:00pm
Advancing the Science: The Latest in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Research
Tuesday, February 9th 12:00pm-1:00pm
Learning to Let Go – How to Move Forward with a Diagnosis & 10 Warning Signs
Wednesday, February 10th 10:00am-11:30am
Dementia and Diabetes: An Approach to Healthy Living
Wednesday, February 10th 10:00am-11:30am
Caregiver Tips After Getting an Early Diagnosis: Understanding & Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior
Tuesday, February 16th 10:00am-11:00am
What is Hospice? Learn About Services & Late Stage Dementia
Part 1 – Wednesday, February 17th 10:00am-12:00pm
Part 2 – Wednesday, February 24th 10:00am-12:00pm
Understanding & Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior
Thursday, February 18th 10:00am-11:30am
Tuesday, February 23rd 12:00pm-1:00pm
Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body
Thursday, February 18th 2:00pm-3:00pm
Dementia and Mental Health and Understanding Dementia-Related Behavior
Monday, February 22nd 10:00am-11:30am
Love Yourself: The Importance of Self Care for Caregivers
Thursday, February 25th 11:00am-12:30pm
Each virtual education program is approximately one hour to one and one half hours and allows the audience to ask questions and engage with others going through the journey online.
More than 16 million family and friends, including 540,000 in Georgia, provide unpaid care to people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias in the United States. To help family caregivers navigate the current complex and quickly changing environment, the Alzheimer’s Association has also offered additional guidance to families at alz.org/covid19help.
Additional Facts and Figures: (http://www.alz.org/facts/)
• Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.
• More than five million Americans are living with the disease, including 150,000 Georgia residents — a number estimated to grow to as many as 190,000 by year 2025.
• More than 16 million family and friends, including 540,000 in Georgia, provide unpaid care to people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias in the United States.
• In 2019, friends and family of those with Alzheimer’s in Georgia provided an estimated 615 million hours of unpaid care, a contribution valued over $8 billion.
For more information, visit alz.org/georgia or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.
