Maryland Residents Invited To Virtual Alzheimer’s Conference

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) will host a free virtual Alzheimer’s educational conference for Maryland residents on Thursday, November 18, from 10:00am to 12:30pm as part of its 2021 national Educating America Tour. The conference, which is open to everyone, will allow participants to learn from, and ask questions of, health, caregiving and long-term care 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 Fuschillo Jr., AFA’s president and 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.”

Dr. Mehmet Oz, host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” will be a guest speaker and share his family’s personal Alzheimer’s story regarding the diagnosis of his mother, Suna Oz. Dr. Oz will also share tips to promote good brain health and healthy aging.

Sessions during the AFA virtual conference will include:

Legal Issues for the Alzheimer’s Patient

Having the necessary legal documents in place is vital when a family is confronted with a dementia diagnosis. Morris Klein, esquire, will talk about legal issues faced by many people who are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including Medicaid eligibility, special needs planning, guardianships, and drafting essential documents such as powers of attorney, health care advance directives, trusts and wills. He will also discuss estate planning, probate and the administration of trusts and estates. Klein is a certified elder law attorney who is a member of the Special Needs Alliance and principal of Morris Klein Attorney At Law, based out of Bethesda.

Putting Your Health Care Team Together

Having a strong network is essential for caregivers to reduce stress, prevent burnout, and ultimately provide the best care possible. Mari Baxter, chief operating officer of Senior Helpers Franchising, will offer important tips on how to build that support structure to aid in caregiving. She will also provide tips for long-term care planning, discuss different long-term care options and their benefits, and details that everyone should know when planning for long-term care. Baxter will offer strategies for caregivers to expand their skills and knowledge of administering specialized care that is designed to meet the needs and requirements of seniors at various stages.

Symptoms, Treatment and Research on Alzheimer’s

Paul Fishman, a clinical professor of neurology at the University of Maryland and chief of neurology with the VA Maryland Health Care System, will provide an overview of Alzheimer’s disease, explain the warning signs, and discuss ongoing Alzheimer’s research and clinical trials, including his recent research involving the therapeutic use of focused ultrasound (FUS) in the brain.

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 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.