Alzheimer’s group opens its conference to public

Family members and caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease are invited to attend the annual spring conference of the Maine chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. The event, which is also open to professionals, will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 16, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn. Preregistration is required and must be received by Friday, May 9.

The conference theme is “I’m Still Here: Entering the World of the Person with Dementia.” Featured speakers include Joanne Koenig Coste and Paul Raia, who will share their approach to using the language of emotions to simplify life and spend meaningful time with individuals stricken with dementia.

Coste is a nationally recognized expert on Alzheimer’s disease and an advocate for patient and family care. She developed her “habilitation therapy” – which focuses on patients’ emotions and remaining capacities – when her own middle-aged husband was diagnosed with progressive dementia. Her recent book, “Learning to Speak Alzheimer’s,” contains tips to support those involved with Alzheimer’s.

Raia has served for 20 years as director of patient care and family support at the Massachusetts chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. A program developer, teacher and author, Raia has special interest in the environmental design of Alzheimer’s care units, the management of problem behavior and the special needs of those dually diagnosed with Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease.

Also speaking at the conference will be Maria C. Carrillo, director of medical and scientific relations for the Alzheimer’s Association, who will present a research update on the disorder.

The registration fee is $30 for family members and $90 for professionals. Registration includes lunch and educational credits for professionals. Scholarships are available for family caregivers. Information is available by contacting the Maine chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association at 772-0115 or www.alz.org/maine.