LYNNWOOD, Wash., March 13, 2023—The Journey dementia family caregiver conference is a day-long event offering tools and encouragement to unpaid family caregivers supporting a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Session topics include: emergency planning, difficult conversations and practical tips for everyday living. Our keynote speaker is Carolyn Birrell, author of Walking with Fay: My Mother’s Uncharted Path Into Dementia. Providing safety information and emergency planning tips is Greg Sanders, Snohomish County Sergeant of Search and Rescue.
Time: 9 am to 4 pm
Date: Saturday, March 25
Location: Lynnwood Event Center, 3711 196th St SW, Lynnwood, WA 98036
Cost: $10, including lunch and snacks. Scholarships are available so interested attendees should contact that Association if the registration fee is a barrier. Contact the event organizers at journey [email protected] or call 425-654-0947.
Website: https://www.alz.org/alzwa/helping_you/conferences
In Washington State alone, there are 270,000 unpaid family caregivers supporting a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Combined, they provided 396 million hours of informal care last year valued at over $5 billion.
The care provided to people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias is wide-ranging because of the duration of the disease and the severity of its symptoms. For family caregivers, this often results in increased emotional stress and depression; new or exacerbated health problems; and depleted finances due to disruptions in employment and the high cost of health care for themselves and the person living with the disease.
The Alzheimer’s Association Washington State Chapter provides a variety of support services for family caregivers including a 24/7 helpline (1.800.272.3900), support groups and free educational programs. For more information, visit alzwa.org.