Senate Appropriation Subcommittee Meeting March 16

Pegg Thomas, from our Alpena office, will be testifying before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee in Lansing on Wednesday, March 16th. She will be appealing to the Senators for reinstatement of funding for the Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

All state funding was cut in 2009. But today is a new day! Our new governor wants "value for dollar" spending and that's what we plan to demonstrate to the Senators on Wednesday. Here is a snippet from Pegg's testmony:

According to data release this year, in Michigan there are 180,000 people with dementia. If even 1% of them per year, 1,800 people, are able to live an extra 3 months at home due to our services, it will save the State of Michigan $8,497,764 in nursing home Medicaid payments alone. The state could reinstate our past support of $600,000 yearly and still save $7,897,764 per year.

You can help by contacting your local Senator and asking that he look at the facts and make the determination to support the Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

District 35 - Darwin Booher
District 36 - John Moolenaar
District 37 - Howard Walker

We currently have no state or federal funding. Our offices survive on the generosity of the people of Northern Michigan, some grants and our fundraising events. Given the state of the economy here in Michigan, however, it hasn't been enough. We are facing a dire shortfall at the end of our fiscal year on June 30, 2011. Nobody wants to cut services, but we face that possibility without a change from Lansing. Please make that contact now.

Two Great Conferences

The Greater Michigan Chapter is honoring National Alzheimer's Disease Month in November by offering two great conferences. Both will be held on Tuesday, November 16th, at Wayne State University - Oakland Center, in Farmington, Michigan.

Alzheimer's Disease: A Professional Approach to a Personal Disease
This conference offers continuing education credits and contact hours for social workers and nurses as they learn more about Alzheimer's. Cost for this event is $35.00 and includes a continental breakfast. Pre-registration is required. For more details, click on the title.

Alzheimer's... What Every Caregiver Should Know
This conference is set up to help the in-home caregiver learn how to better care for their loved one and themselves as they journey through the caregiving experience. This is a FREE event, a box lunch will be served. For more details, click on the title.

Put it in Writing

Come learn what you need to know to safeguard your health care wishes. This presentation will cover issues concerning power of attorney, guardianship, and other things you need to know. Learn how and where to make your wishes known concerning your future health care. This open and free to the public.

Where: Alpena Public Library Conference Room
When: Friday, Oct 22nd from 1:00pm - 2:30pm

Put on by the Alzheimer's Association in conjunction with the Northeast Michigan Community Foundation.

(Please note: There was a misprint in the Alpena News, the correct date is Friday, Oct. 22nd.)

Alzheimer's Disease Know the 10 Signs- Early Detection Matters Webinar

What is a "webinar"? It's an on-line class available to people with a computer and a telephone. You listen to the speaker over the phone while the material plays out in front of you on your computer. All from the comfort and convenience of your own home!

To register for the current class:
Know the 10 Signs - Early Detection Matters

Click on HERE and follow the instructions.

There are two more opportunities for this class:

Tuesday, June 1, 2010
10:00 - 11:30 am
*registration deadline Friday, May 28, 2010

Thursday, June 24, 2010
2:00 - 3:30 pm
*registration deadline Tuesday, June 22, 2010

CREATING CONFIDENT CAREGIVERS WORKSHOP

Creating Confident Caregivers
A program for family members caring for a loved onesuffering from dementia and/or memory loss.

About the program -
Creating Confident Caregivers utilizes the Savvy Caregiver Program, a university tested program for family members caring for a loved one with dementia at home. Two hour sessions are held once a week for six weeks and lead by dementia care specialists. This program provides participants with information, skills and attitudes to manage stress and increase effective caregiving skills.

Free Respite Care -
Care for your family member with memory loss can be provided free of charge so you may attend the sessions.*Ask for details when you register.*

Classes Offered -
Attend FREE! 2 hour session once a week for six weeks

Classes being held

Day & Dates: Tuesday February 23 & March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Time: 5:30 PM-7:30 PM

Location: THE ALZHEIMER"S ASSOCIATION

Address: 1040 Walnut Street Traverse City, MI 49686

To register contact Alzheimer’s Association at (231) 929-3804

This program is supported, in part, by the U.S. Administration on Aging through its Alzheimer’s Disease Supportive Services Program, (#90AE0322) and the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging.Read more: http://alz-org-northern-mi.blogspot.com/#ixzz0firGfr8q

CREATING CONFIDENT CAREGIVERS WORKSHOP

Creating Confident Caregivers

A program for family members caring for a loved one
suffering from dementia and/or memory loss.

About the program -

Creating Confident Caregivers utilizes the Savvy Caregiver Program, a university tested program for family members caring for a loved one with dementia at home. Two hour sessions are held once a week for six weeks and lead by dementia care specialists. This program provides participants with information, skills and attitudes to manage stress and increase effective caregiving skills.

Free Respite Care -

Care for your family member with memory loss can be provided free of charge so you may attend the sessions.
*Ask for details when you register.*

Classes Offered -

Attend FREE!
2 hour session once a week
for six weeks

Classes being held
Day & Dates: Monday
February 1, 8, 15, 22 & March 1, 8
Time: 2:00 PM-4:00 PM
Location: THE FRIENDSHIP CENTER OF
EMMET COUNTY
Address: 322 Anderson Road
Petoskey, MI 49770
To register contact Alzheimer’s Association at (231) 929-3804

This program is supported, in part, by the U.S. Administration on Aging through its Alzheimer’s Disease Supportive Services Program, (#90AE0322) and the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging.

Maintain Your Brain - Thursday, July 23rd

Our own Diane O'Connor is presenting
"Maintain Your Brain"
in a one-hour presentation.

where: Alpena Library, upstairs conference room
when: Thursday, July 23rd, at 7:00pm
cost: donations welcome

This presentation explores what recent research efforts and reports say about maintaining your brain through lifestyle choices and activities. Come and learn what you can do to help "Maintain Your Brain"!

Questions?
989.356.4087 - Alzheimer's Association office

4th Annual Caregivers Count

Thursday, May 28th
Granum Theatre at Alpena Community College

check in at 8:30 - cost $10/per person at the door and includes lunch
please call 989.358.7928 or e-mail Karol Cain to pre-register

Guest speakers include:

Dr. Joann Root
Diane O'Connor - Alzheimer's Association
Trooper Andrew Ambrose - Michigan State Police
Mary Supiran - Tendercare Alpena
Pegg Thomas - Alzheimer's Association
Karol Cain - The Caring Place
Chef Eric Peterson - The Fresh Palate

The program runs until 4:00pm. All caregivers and family members are welcome to attend.

You Are Invited!

to our

Open House

Alpena Office
526 W Chisholm St

May 20th

4:00 - 6:30pm.

Stop by and see our new office, meet the staff and learn about what we do here to help people in Northern Michigan.

Making the Most of the Visit

If you have a friend or loved one who suffers with Alzheimer’s Disease or another form of dementia, visiting can be both stressful and uncomfortable. But it doesn’t have to be! Taking a few moments to prepare for your visit, using some easy to obtain materials, engaging in some simple activities and utilizing new communication skills can turn that visit into something very special for both you and your person with dementia.

The Alzheimer’s Association will be hosting a presentation at the Alpena County Library on March 24^th from 6:00 to 7:30pm. The presentation, “Making the Most of the Visit”, is geared towards those who either regularly or occasionally visit a friend or loved one with dementia. There will be time for questions and answers after the presentation.

Don’t let uncertainty rob you of time spent with your loved one who suffers from dementia. There is no cost for this presentation, however, donations are always welcome and help support the Alzheimer’s Association in northern Michigan.

For more information about “Making the Most of the Visit”, please contact the Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Michigan Chapter office in Alpena at 989.356.4087.