“MEETING OF THE MINDS” DEMENTIA CARE CONFERENCE HOSTED BY ALZHEIMER’S ALLIANCE SET FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 27

April 26, 2018

The Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County will be hosting the dementia care conference, “Meeting of the Minds” this Friday, April 27 from 8:30am to 4:30pm at the Rose Garden Center in Tyler. Online registration is still available until the close of business Thursday at www.alzalliance.org/events/meeting-minds-conference and will be available on sight from 8:30-9:00am Friday morning. The keynote speaker will take the stage at 9 o’clock. This conference is open to the general public but registration is required. Continuing education credits are available for several disciplines.

This year’s conference keynote speaker will be David Shenk. Mr. Shenk is the award-winning and national-bestselling author known for The Forgetting: Alzheimer’s, Portrait of an Epidemic, which won First Prize in the British Medical Association’s Popular Medical Book Awards and was welcomed by John Bayley as “the definitive work on Alzheimer’s.” In January 2004, PBS broadcast “The Forgetting,” a prime-time documentary inspired by the book. In 2006, the book was featured in Sarah Polley’s Oscar-nominated film “Away from Her.” Shenk speaks frequently on the history, biology and social urgency of Alzheimer’s disease. He has advised the President’s Council on Bioethics on dementia-related issues, is a Senior Advisor to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, and is Creator/Executive Producer of the Living with Alzheimer’s Film Project. Copies of both the book and video will be available at the conference. Mr. Shenk will also be signing books during all conference breaks.

Other speakers include: Thomas Birchfield with Baylor Scott & White Health who will be representing the Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium (TARCC) speaking on caregiving; Amy & Damien Temperley with Aging Is Cool out of Austin; local Tylerite, Don Kent with a patient’s perspective on Lewy Body dementia and John Ross of Ross & Shoalmire to discuss Elder Law. The conference will be wrapped up with a panel discussion including many of the speakers along with Dr. Michael Beets from Hospice of East Texas and Andrew Schmidt, PhD from UT Health.

Top sponsors for this event include the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas, Visiting Angels, Prestige Estates Assisted Living & Memory Care as well as Ross & Shoalmire, Arabella of Athens, Rose of Texas Hospice and the Christus Health Plan. An exhibitor area of sponsors and varies agencies will be made available during breaks and lunch.

For more information about the Meeting of the Minds dementia care conference visit www.alzalliance.org/events/meeting-minds-conference or call our office at 903-509-8328.

About the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County.

Founded in 1982, the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County is a local nonprofit organization committed to walking alongside all of those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Our services include personal consultations, education and awareness, caregiver support and resources, and brain health advocacy in Smith County.