WICHITA, Kan. — The will host a free Alzheimer’s and caregiving conference in Wichita later this month as part of its nationwide Educating America Tour.
The conference will take place Wednesday, May 20, at the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview. Doors open at 9 a.m. for breakfast, registration and networking, with presentations beginning at 10 a.m.
According to AFA Executive Director Charles Fuschillo, the conference is designed to provide education and resources for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, caregivers, families and healthcare professionals.
“So this is part of our Educating Across America tour that the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America started a number of years ago,” Fuschillo said. “Every month we travel to a different state across the country and we inform individuals about Alzheimer’s disease, long term care, caregiving, tips and strategies, brain health and wellness.”
The conference will feature several presentations covering early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, caregiver support and elder law planning.
Robin J. Heinrichs, a neuropsychology specialist, will discuss recognizing the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and the importance of early diagnosis.
Fuschillo said many people mistakenly believe dementia is a normal part of aging.
“Alzheimer’s itself is a progressive brain disorder that will impact memory, thinking and language skills and the ability to carry out simple tasks,” Fuschillo said.
He added that early diagnosis allows individuals and families to make important medical, financial and lifestyle decisions while the patient can still participate in the process.
Another session will focus on caregiver wellness and support. Senior consultant and certified senior advisor Stacy Gladfelter will present information on managing the emotional and physical stress caregivers often experience.
“The emotional and physical stress of being a caregiver can be overwhelming,” Fuschillo said. “We want to make sure that the caregiver has the tips and strategies to take care of themselves as well while they’re taking care of a loved one.”
The conference will also include a presentation by elder law attorney Randy Quiggle, who will discuss legal documents and protections families should consider, including wills, advanced directives and powers of attorney.
Fuschillo said protecting vulnerable seniors from scams and financial exploitation is an important part of planning for long-term care.
In addition to the presentations, free memory screenings will be available throughout the event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“We like to call that a check up from the neck up,” Fuschillo said.
The screenings include a series of questions that evaluate language, memory and thinking skills. Fuschillo said individuals are encouraged to have memory screenings performed annually with their primary care physician.
Registration information is available through the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America website.