Based on the guidance from local public health agencies regarding COVID-19, the Alzheimer’s Association’s annual Dementia Education Conference will now be offered as a virtual option and will be free of charge to all North Carolina residents. Hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern North Carolina Chapter and the Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter, this year’s theme is “The Power of Many” and will take place on Wednesday, September 2 from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

The event – presented by Sharon Towers – is the largest educational conference about Alzheimer’s disease in the state and will bring together those living with Alzheimer’s or related dementia, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

“The health and safety of our constituents, volunteers and staff remains our driver as we address the COVID-19 pandemic and as we continue to pursue our mission, today and in the longer term,” said Lisa Roberts, Executive Director of the Eastern North Carolina Chapter. “Through our generous sponsors and talented experts, we are still able to host this educational day for everyone in North Carolina with invaluable information and resources.”

Attendees are invited to join (via video or phone) for the entire virtual event or just the discussions that interest them most. Featuring a variety of discussions led by researchers and other leading experts, some of the session topics will include:

• The African American Experience with Alzheimer’s and Dementia – Experiential insight into how families are managing the insurmountable challenges that are often associated with caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia, with an emphasis on the African American family unit.
• Living with Younger-onset Alzheimer’s and Dementia – Discussing the unique challenges of a younger-onset diagnosis (under 65 years of age). Many individuals are still in the work-place, their spouses/ partners may also be working full-time, and they may still have “full-time” parenting responsibilities, whether children or grandchildren.
• The Diagnostic Journey and Physician Relationships – Addressing questions around determining a diagnosis, physician referrals, the diagnostic process, and the patient-caregiver-physician relationship.

Heather M. Snyder, Ph.D., vice president, Medical & Scientific Relations at the Alzheimer’s Association will share “Advancing the Science: The Latest in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Research” as her opening session keynote presentation. Dr. Snyder leads the Association’s International Research Grant Program, the vehicle through which the Association funds promising investigations that advance understanding of Alzheimer’s and moves the field toward solutions for the global Alzheimer’s crisis.

Dave Sanderson, international speaker and author will share “Moments Matter” as his closing session keynote presentation.  Living with dementia and caring for a loved one living with dementia requires resiliency and strength. When US Airways Flight 1549, known as the “Miracle on the Hudson”, ditched into the Hudson River on January 15, 2009, Sanderson not only survived the crash but also started to realize that the moments that made up his life prepared him for what was about to happen. In his keynote Sanderson reveals the inner strength it took to make it through the day, and how you can grow from challenges.

There is no charge to participate in the Virtual Dementia Education Conference, but registration is required at tinyurl.com/DementiaConf2020. To register by phone or for more information, call 800-272-3900. Registrants will be sent conferencing details prior to the date of the virtual event. Participants will be given the option of joining via video/webinar or through a toll-free number.

Additional Facts and Figures: (http://www.alz.org/facts/)

• Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.
• More than five million Americans are living with the disease, including 180,000 North Carolina residents — a number estimated to grow to as many as 210,000 by year 2025.
• More than 16 million family and friends, including 479,000 in North Carolina, provide unpaid care to people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias in the United States.
• In 2019, friends and family of those with Alzheimer’s in North Carolina provided an estimated 545 million hours of unpaid care, a contribution valued at $7.15 billion.