The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America will host a free virtual Alzheimer’s educational conference for Hawaii residents from 9-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, as part of its 2021 national Educating America Tour.
The conference, which is free and open to everyone, will allow participants to learn from, and ask questions of, health, caregiving and legal experts.
Sessions during the AFA virtual conference will include:
• An Overview of Alzheimer’s — Dr. Amber Smith, education specialist with Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska, will provide an overview of Alzheimer’s disease, explain the warning signs and how dementia-related memory loss differs from normal aging, offer brain health tips and share valuable resources to assist caregivers.
• Legal Planning for Peace of Mind — Elder law attorney Ilona Bessenyey will explain powers of attorney, medical directives, wills, and trusts, which are all vital in helping families to plan their long-term care. She will talk about the importance of getting these documents in place before capacity to do so is lost as well as the need to take a team approach to caregiving.
• Deciding for One Who Cannot — Gary Powell, executive director of the Caregiver Foundation in Wahiawa, Oahu, will discuss how and when to make decisions for someone who is unable to answer for themselves. He will review what is ethical, legal and moral.
Mr. Powell will also discuss guardianships and the decisions which need to be made from a practical, financial and legal standpoint.
For more information or to register, go to alzfdn.org/tour.
Those who can’t 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 toll-free helpline by calling 866-232-8484 or web chatting at alzfdn.org by clicking the blue and white chat icon in the right-hand corner of the page.
