Caregiver classes on “Living with Alzheimer’s” start this fall

This October, educators with the Alzheimer’s Association Central and Western Kansas Chapter will host a series of courses for caregivers focused on “Living with Alzheimer’s.”

“These courses are great for caregivers. Not every session is appropriate for every person. Someone in the later stages of Alzheimer’s may not want to come to the early stage course. If a loved one is just diagnosed, the caregiver may not want to come to the later stages course,” said Denise Vann, program specialist/walk manager with the Alzheimer’s Association Central and Western Kansas Chapter.

There are three courses planned for October, and each will focus on different stages of the disease.

Early Stage: Thursday, October 3 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

This course will cover topics such as getting a diagnosis, getting affairs in order and getting a care team around you. “There are a lot of times when caregivers feel alone. [This course covers] how you reach out and get everything in order so that as the disease progresses you have things in place. We’ll talk about what you might see with this disease,” said Vann.

Middle Stage: Thursday, October 10 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

This course covers caring for someone in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s and will discuss topics such as the inability to communicate, memory issues, behaviors you might see and the types of care needed.

Late Stage: Thursday, October 17 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

This course will cover the things you may experience during the end of life.

“Education is power. With this disease, there’s still a lot of stigma around it. Know you’re not alone. The Alzheimer’s Association chapters out of Wichita serve 69 counties, and we’re here from A to Z – diagnosis to death,” said Vann.

All classes are free. RSVP to Noelle Dickinson at 316-283-5400 or ndickinson@pmma.org.

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