EXPLORING ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA

May 9 Conference to Address Caregiver Concerns

March 31, 2008 – Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and fatal brain dysfunction that affects five million Americans. The most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory and intellectual activity. The families and caregivers of patients are deeply affected by the disease, as long-term care is needed in the majority of cases.

The Norwell VNA will host a day-long educational forum for caregivers, healthcare providers and family members affected by these diseases. Exploring Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia will take place on Friday, May 9, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Hingham Senior Center located at 224 Central Street in Hingham.

Renowned experts in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia will be on hand to discuss challenges that caregivers encounter.

Joanne Koenig Coste has made a career out of working with Alzheimer patients, their families and caregivers. She is currently President of Alzheimer Consulting Associates and travels the country lecturing. She will discuss Living with Alzheimer’s/The Habilitation Philosophy of Caring.

Dr. Richard S. Fischer, Ph.D., Director of Neuropsychology at the New England Sinai Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital, will discuss Late Life Depression and Alzheimer’s.

Lynn Serper, Ed.D., is creator of the Serper Method™ and Founder and President of Brain Enhancement Services, Inc. The Serper Method can help to increase general memory, improve verbal fluency, broaden the ability to find words to express thoughts, expand conversational skills, enhance social skills and widen a person’s knowledge of world news. Dr. Serper will discuss Effects of Learning with Socialization on early, mid and early onset Alzheimer’s and other Dementias.

Nancy Emerson Lombardo, Ph.D., is Senior Research Scientist and Adjunct Research Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Lombardo has been involved in aging policy research as well as groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research. She will be on had to discuss Healthy Living for a Healthy Brain.

Joan Garity, Ed.D., RN, an Associate Professor at University of Massachusetts at Boston, has conducted extensive research regarding the Alzheimer family caregiver. She will discuss The Differences in Grief in Alzheimer’s Family Caregivers.

This educational forum is funded in part by a Title III grant administered by South Shore Elder Services, Inc. For more information about the event or the Norwell VNA, please visit the website at www.nvna.org or call 781-659-2342.

The Norwell Visiting Nurse Association, located in Norwell and serving the South Shore, provides nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, nutritional counseling, home health aides/homemakers and a variety of support services and programs to patients of all ages and for all needs. The Norwell VNA has been serving the community since 1920 providing services to residents in Norwell, Scituate, Abington, Braintree, Cohasset, Duxbury, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Holbrook, Hull, Kingston, Marshfield, Pembroke, Quincy, Rockland, Weymouth and Whitman. For more information about the Norwell VNA and its services, please visit the web site at www.nvna.org or call 781-659-2342.