The Me in Dementia: Increasing Understanding Along the Dementia Journey is a conference taking place at the Ramada Hotel Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The day will offer guidance on brain health, Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, address issues like communication and behaviour along the journey, help with personal planning, and offer a dementia research update.
"September is World Alzheimer's Awareness Month, so it's fitting that we're having the conference at this time," said Leanne Jones, BSW, support and education coordinator, Alzheimer Society of BC for the Northern Interior. "So these are all pared down versions of the bigger educational workshops that we provide. A conference like this is to raise awareness and let people know what we have to offer to the Prince George community." Everyone is welcome to attend.
The heads up for a healthier brain seminar is a way to introduce dementia to those who would like more information and also it's a good way to offer ways to reduce the risk.
"It's important to look at the factors that are in our control and what factors aren't in our control," said Jones. "Age and genetics, we obviously have no control over that, but you can still take into consideration a bunch of factors that might possibly reduce your risk and are important for healthy aging anyway, like exercise for the brain and body."
Knowing your blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels are also important because those are indicators of overall health.
"We know that Alzheimer's disease and related dementias have been linked to high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol," said Jones. "We know that cardiovascular and brain health are linked." That's another reason to be as healthy as possible as you age, she added.
There's an information session about what Azheimer's and other dementias do to your brain and then there's a talk about how to communicate with a person with dementia and offer a better understanding of the behaviour that comes with the disease, Jones added.
"This leads to a broader understanding of how to help somebody who is living with dementia by being aware of how our approach influences that," said Jones.
The personal planning session will emphasize how important it is to get prepared for the future, Jones added.
"Make sure you have all your plans in place while you can still make those plans so you have a say about what happens in your future in terms of health care, finances and who you want to be making decisions for you should you not be able to do that for yourself," said Jones.
Dr. Jacqueline Pettersen will offer information about the scientific progress being made in Alzheimer's disease research and its potential future clinical directions.
If possible register before Sept. 11 by calling 1-855-742-4803. Cost is $20, which includes lunch. Ramada Hotel doors at 444 George Street open at 8:30 a.m. Coffee and muffins provided.
