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April 2002 Monthly News

From the Director
Fairview Commons responds to community need with Adult Day Health Program

New program focuses on help for caregivers

Full day conference on Alzheimer’s disease

Tom Kelly excellence in volunteering award 2001 finalist

Keeping Track of All Those Bills: ESBC’s Money Management Program

 

Full day conference on Alzheimer’s disease

By Jeanne B. Siegel, Planner

Caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease is a complex, demanding job. A full day conference on April 9, 2002 will address the professional concerns of people who are dealing with this illness.

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative neurological illness of the brain from which there is no recovery. It is estimated that half of the people in nursing homes and almost half of all people over 85 have dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder. Alzheimer’s disease, named after the German doctor who identified it in 1907, first affects memory and other intellectual functions and eventually life itself. Over 4 million people in the United States are suffering from this insidious disease.

The Conference, sponsored by the Berkshire Area Alzheimer’s Partnership and the Berkshire Area Health Education Center, as well as the Massachusetts Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Pittsfield. Scholars in the field as well as community resource professionals will address topics such as early detection and prevention, appropriate medications and dosages, and improving communication with the Alzheimer’s patient and their family. The keynote speaker Dr. Robert Green is a leading expert on Alzheimers at Boston University’s School of Medicine.

The Conference is designed for professional caregivers who work with patients and Continuing Education Credits will be awarded to those professionals who request it. Family caregivers are also welcome to attend. To register for the conference contact Berkshire AHEC 447-2417 or email; webmaster@berkshireahec.org.