NEW YORK (October 10, 2024)— The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) will host a free Alzheimer’s & Caregiving Educational Conference for Oklahoma residents on Wednesday, November 13 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm CT at the Embassy Suites by Hilton (3332 South 79^th East Avenue, Tulsa) as part of its 2024 national Educating America Tour. The free conference is open to everyone and will allow participants to learn from experts in the field of Alzheimer’s disease, brain health, caregiving, and self-care. Register by visiting www.alzfdn.org/tour. Advance registration is highly recommended.

“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 about brain health, we invite you to join us on November 13.”

Sessions during the AFA conference will include:

Unlocking the Mind: Understanding and Treating Alzheimer’s Disease– Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that impacts memory, thinking and language skills, and the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. It is the most common cause of dementia. Dr. Veronica Galvan will help explain Alzheimer’s disease, symptoms and its impact on families.  She will talk about some of the latest advances in Alzheimer’s research and potential new treatments.

Dr. Galvan is a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Donald W. Reynolds Endowed Chair of Aging Research at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences (OUHS).  She also serves as Director of the Oklahoma Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging; and Co-Director of the Oklahoma Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging at OUHS.

Planning With a Diagnosis – Good News From a Legal Perspective– Having the proper legal documents in place is essential to ensure that your healthcare, legal and financial wishes are carried out as you want even when you may not be able to express those wishes yourself. It’s especially important as we age. Jorjana Marx will discuss some myths for individuals with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. She will also talk about strategies for estate planning, incapacity planning, and long-term care planning. This will include Powers or Attorney, healthcare proxies, and living wills.

Mrs. Marx is a Founding Member and Partner Attorney with Oklahoma Senior Law, based in Tulsa. She has spent more than 21 years advising individuals on legal matters, estate planning, and elder law issues, including Medicaid Planning and Veterans Pension Planning.

The Hidden Impact – Trauma’s Role in Dementia Progression and Care– Trauma is very common among people living with Alzheimer’s disease. Trauma stems from a distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope. Dr. Kimberly Cassie will explore how past traumas, including physical, emotional, and psychological trauma, can influence both the onset and progression of dementia. She will discuss the importance of trauma-informed care in managing individuals with dementia and highlight practical strategies for caregivers and professionals to recognize and respond to trauma-related behaviors in people with dementia.

Dr. Cassie is an Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Anne & Henry Zarrow School of Social Work. She is a gerontological social worker with 30 years of experience working with older adults and their family caregivers.

Free, confidential memory screenings will be conducted throughout the day.

For more information or to register for the November 13 conference in Tulsa, visit www.alzfdn.org/tour. Those who cannot participate in the 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, texting 646-586-5283, or web chatting at www.alzfdn.org by clicking the blue and white chat icon in the right-hand corner of the page. The web chat and text message features are available in more than 90 languages.

About Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA)

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide support, services and education to individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias nationwide and to fund research for better treatment and a cure. Its services include a National Toll-Free Helpline (866-232-8484) staffed entirely by licensed social workers, caregiver support groups, educational programs and publications for caregivers, dementia-care training for healthcare professionals, the National Memory Screening Program, and more. For more information about AFA, call 866-232-8484, visit www.alzfdn.org, or connect with us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, or LinkedIn. AFA holds Charity Navigator’s top 4-star rating.