A free dementia care workshop will be offered Oct. 4 in Jacksonville for those who would like to learn about caring for an adult with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
The workshop, which is open to the public, will be held 2-4 p.m. at the Jacksonville Medical Care Clinic, 1300 Braden St. For more information or to register, call Jaycee Allen at (501) 985-5923. Space is limited.
The program is presented by the Arkansas Geriatric Education Collaborative of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). The collaborative is funded by a Health Resources and Services Administration grant of $3.7 million for a Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program.
Taught by UAMS’ Laura Spradley, the workshop will present an overview of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and provide caregiving tips.
Family caregivers include anyone who helps with care, including managing a family member’s medications, talking to doctors and nurses on their behalf, or simply preparing their meals and doing a few household chores.
About 80 percent of Arkansas’ older population who are still living in their home depend on family and friends for assistance. Dementia care at home can become more and more challenging. A better understanding of the disease may help families care for their loved ones.