The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is an organization that provides support and education to those living with Alzheimer’s disease, as well as, their caregivers and families. The AFA also helps to fund research on improved treatments in the hope of finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
The AFA website offers a National Toll-Free Helpline. This resource is available 7 days a week and is staffed by licensed social workers. The neat thing about this help line is that, although they are based out of New York, they are also able to connect callers with local resources in their area throughout the United States. There are multiple ways to access this help line. You can call the number, 866-232-8484, or they offer Live Chat, Skype, and Email options as well.
Telephone Support Groups are also offered for caregivers and are led by licensed social workers. This option allows for those who can’t always make it to local in-person group meetings or those with busy schedules to receive the support they need.
Fact Sheets are available on the AFA website and cover a wide range of topics such as what to do after being diagnosed, sleep tips, tips for traveling, tips for talking about memory changes, incontinence, fall prevention, eating tips and much more.
Webinars are held frequently and discuss topics surrounding Alzheimer’s disease. These can be accessed later if you cannot attend during the scheduled time.
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America also has a National Memory Screening Program. Memory screens are essential to early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. They may also help diagnose other conditions that cause memory problems. Although we are still looking for a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, other conditions that cause memory problems may be treatable such as vitamin deficiencies or thyroid problems.
These free memory screens are provided across the United States. Screening sites near you can be found by clicking here. Your doctor may also provide memory screens, so be sure to ask them for more information.
The AFA is currently running their Educating America Tour and will be making a stop in Portland, OR on June 11th, 2019! This conference is free to attend and open to the public.
The conference will be held from 9:00am-1:30pm at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214.
Center for Cognitive Health’s own Dr. Michael Mega is the keynote speaker at this event and will be giving a talk titled Unraveling Alzheimer’s. Dr. Mega will provide an overview of Alzheimer’s disease, an update on Alzheimer’s research and clinical trials, and what we can expect on the horizon.
The conference is offering additional workshops and free, confidential memory screens.
The other workshop topics include:
- Preparing for and Understanding Long Term Care
- Creating Innovative Intergenerational Programming and Therapeutics
The free memory screens done at this conference are a great resource that can provide insight on whether or not a follow-up is needed for further testing and evaluation. The earlier that memory changes can be identified, the better. Results from these screenings will be available for you to add to your medical records. There are 4 tests involved in the screenings and will be done in a private, one-on-one setting with trained test administrators. It is very important to remember that these tests are not used to diagnose any medical conditions. An official diagnosis needs to be given by your doctor.
If you are unsure whether or not you should have a memory screen, Here is a link to some questions that might help you decide.
Hope to see you there!