The Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter is launching a free, six-month virtual education series beginning this week to provide essential support and resources for Iowa families facing Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.
The program kicks off at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, via Zoom. Sessions will run every Thursday from Jan. 8 through March 19, and then monthly from April through June. To learn more and register, visit the registration page or the Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter’s website.
The series is designed to help families navigate the disease by preparing them for changes in communication and behavior, facilitating family discussions about dementia, and planning for future financial and legal considerations.
The initial part of the series will feature The Empowered Caregiver, a new five-part program from the Alzheimer’s Association that guides caregivers through the responsibilities of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia across different stages of the disease.
The full schedule includes:
- Jan. 8: Awareness Presentation | Local Dementia Resources in Iowa, Current Iowa Treatment Experience & Virtual Dementia Simulation.
- Jan. 15: The Empowered Caregiver: Building Foundations of Caregiving.
- Jan. 22: The Empowered Caregiver: Supporting Independence.
- Jan. 29: ALZ Talks: Take Charge of Your Brain Health (separate registration required).
- Feb. 5: The Empowered Caregiver: Communicating Effectively.
- Feb. 12: The Empowered Caregiver: Responding to Dementia Related Behaviors.
- Feb. 19: The Empowered Caregiver: Exploring Care and Support Services.
- March 5: Una Vida Sana Para Su Cerebro y Su Cuerpo con Dr. Jimmy Reyes.
- March 12: Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body with helpful resources for Community Health Workers.
- March 19: Awareness Presentation | Local Dementia Resources in Iowa, Current Iowa Treatment Experience & University of Iowa Research Update with Dr. Kat Britt, University of Iowa.
- April 16: Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
- May 21: 10 Warning Signs.
- June 18: Managing Money: A Caregiver’s Guide to Finances.
More than 62,000 Iowans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, and over 80,000 family members and friends in the state serve as unpaid caregivers.
