The Alzheimer's Foundation of America will host a free virtual Alzheimer's educational conference for Tennessee residents on Wednesday, June 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. CST as part of its 2022 national Educating America Tour. The conference, which is free and open to everyone, will allow participants to learn from, and ask questions of, health and caregiving experts. To register, go to www.alzfdn.org/tour.

"Knowledge is a useful and powerful tool that can help make any situation easier to navigate, especially something as challenging as caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease," said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA's President & CEO. "Connecting families with useful, practical information and support that can help them now and be better prepared for the future is what this conference is all about. Whether Alzheimer's is affecting your family, you are a caregiver or just want to learn more, you can participate in this free virtual conference from the comfort of your home or office."

Sessions during the AFA virtual conference will include:

Alzheimer's Disease: Past & Present Perspectives – Research into Alzheimer's disease and how it has evolved has come a long way over the years.   Frederick A. Schmitt, PhD, will talk about the early years of Alzheimer's disease along with key biological discoveries.  In addition, he will discuss brain mechanisms, genetics, evolving biomarkers, newly discovered Alzheimer's disease 'mimics', components that promote brain resilience, and approaches for reducing risk.

Dr. Schmitt is a Professor of Neurology at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging with the Kentucky Neuroscience Institute at the University of Kentucky and a member of AFA's Medical, Scientific and Memory Screening Advisory Board.

Dealing with Difficult Behaviors –Lynn Wood, CDS, NCCDP, MHFAT, will explore the different behaviors that a caregiver may find themselves having to navigate when caring for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia.  She will talk about possible reasons for behaviors like shadowing, delusions, repetitive questioning, and cluttering, while also advising caregivers on redirection techniques.

Lynn is a Certified Dementia Specialist and a Certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer.  She is a Caregiver Support Coordinator with Mental Health America of the Midsouth, Tennessee, serving 13 counties in the Greater Nashville area.

Alzheimer's and Related Dementias – A Public Health Approach–  Alzheimer's disease is a growing public health issue that requires coordinated efforts by federal, state and local governments.  Chelsea Ridley, MPH, RN, will highlight the national, state and local public health efforts under way related to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

Chelsea is a Registered Nurse and is the Dementia Friendly Community Coordinator with the Office of the Patient Care Advocacy at the Tennessee Department of Health in Nashville.

There will also be a special musical performance from Nashville's own Michelle Canning Band.

Michelle is a passionate Alzheimer's advocate whose grandfather, Ken Canning, Sr., had Alzheimer's disease and passed away at the age of 82.  Music can be a therapeutic tool to help individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias by decreasing anxiety and agitation, facilitating social interaction, promoting cognitive and sensory stimulation, improving mood and bringing joy.

For more information or to register, go to www.alzfdn.org/tour. Those who cannot participate in the virtual conference or have immediate questions about Alzheimer's disease can connect with licensed social workers seven days a week through AFA's National Toll-Free Helpline by calling 866-232-8484 or web chatting at www.alzfdn.org"]Alzheimer's Foundation of America | About AFA's National Memory Screening Program[/url] by clicking the blue and white chat icon in the right-hand corner of the page. The web chat feature is available in more than 90 languages.

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