Coping with Alzheimer’s is a long journey for those suffering from the disease and their loved ones. The Prince William Area Agency on Aging, which serves Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, is partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association to offer a series of free classes this fall to help caregivers cope with Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases, according to a news rlerase from Prince William County government.
“Alzheimer’s is not a disease where you get a diagnosis one day and then two or three weeks later you’re gone,” said Jane Priest, the regional programs and services manager for the National Capital Area Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis can last for 10, 15, 20 years. Caregiving for somebody with a brain disease like Alzheimer’s is a long road to travel.”
Sarah Henry, the director of the Area Agency on Aging, said the weekly classes, which start in September and run through the middle of December, will help people recognize the warning signs of Alzheimer’s and teach caregivers techniques to deal with the challenges of the early, middle and late stages of the disease. “We really hope this opportunity being available to caregivers in our community will provide them with new information about Alzheimer’s and other dementias and caregiver resources in our community.”
The classes will help people understand what will come next as Alzheimer’s patients begin to lose cognitive levels and the ability to learn new things. Priest said caregivers who attend the classes will learn what to do as the people in their care exhibit behavioral changes and lose the ability to “do, think, reason and remember.”
“Sometimes we think Alzheimer’s is about memory, but memory is just a small part,” Priest said. “There are other things that happen when people have a brain disease like Alzheimer’s – their ability to function, to be able to do the things they used to do. Helping the caregiver on this long journey is really the focus of these ‘Living with Alzheimer’s’ programs.”
Priest said the classes will help caregivers find their way. “I carry the series all the way through the journey of Alzheimer’s, from knowing what it is when you first detect it to caregivers understanding what they can do to make the journey a little bit easier.”
Each of the sessions will start at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments, followed by the class which starts at 7 p.m. and runs to 8:30 p.m. Find the complete schedule of classes and locations at http://www.pwcgov.org/aging Call .800-272-3900 to register.
Henry said registration is preferred, but not necessary. “This program is for family and professional caregivers who would like to learn more about Alzheimer’s and other dementias. We would prefer that people register, but we do welcome any walk-ins.”
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