Alzheimer’s Association, NM Chapter Announces Free Virtual Caregiver Conference

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 16 October 2020 16 October 2020

Alzheimer's Association observes National Family Caregivers Month and Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month with virtual conference for both family and professional caregivers

Albuquerque, NM – 10/16/20 – The Alzheimer’s Association’s is pleased to announce that its 16th Annual NM Caregiver Conference (November 6 and 7) is now a user-friendly virtual event, available statewide! The new platform is designed to educate, inform and uplift the caregiver and improve the caregiving experience - and now, professional and family caregivers can attend from the safety and comfort of home.November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month. The Alzheimer’s Association will celebrate the heroic contributions of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers, while also raising awareness about the unique challenges caregivers face, and the Association’s many resources that support caregivers in their important work.  In our own state, the New Mexico Chapter is observing this important month of recognition with its 16th Annual Caregiver Conference, to be held virtually, and free of charge.

The 2020 Conference offers separate tracks for Professional Caregivers and Family Caregivers.

Professional Caregivers November 6, 2020, 8am-4pm MDT

Family Caregivers is November 7, 2020, 8am-4pm MDT

Both days are free, but registration is required.  To register or learn more, visit: https://www.alz.org/newmexico/helping_you/caregiver-conference.  

You may also call 1 (800) 272-3900 for registration information.

Professionals will receive a certificate of completion. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor of the State of New Mexico, will virtually address participants on vital issues facing dementia caregivers across the state. This year’s conference features a rich variety of informative workshops, talks, and presentations by renowned experts, academics and professionals in dementia care.  Breakout sessions include topics like:

-Dementia-Related Behaviors
-Medicare and Medicaid
-Research Update
-Long Term Care
-Caregiver Burnout during COVID
-NM State Public Policy Priorities
-Caregiver Resources
-Self-Care for Caregivers
-Cultural Aspects of Caregiving
-Legal Planning for Alzheimer’s and Dementia
-Spiritual beliefs in Caregiving and Treatment

And more!  For a full listing of speakers, agendas and registration opportunities, visit https://www.alz.org/newmexico/helping_you/caregiver-conference.  

Alzheimer’s takes a devastating toll – not just on those with the disease, but on entire families.   In our own state, 43,000 New Mexicans over the age of 65 are living with Alzheimer’s disease and there are 108,000 unpaid dementia caregivers, many of whom are family members, contributing 123 million hours of care valued at $1.6 billion.

 “We know that dementia caregiving is the toughest job on earth,” says Tim Sheahan (Executive Director, Alzheimer’s Association, NM Chapter). “We want to honor caregivers with this conference during National Family Caregivers Month and Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, but we also want to connect them with free, useful training, resources and support that they may not be aware of.  We also feel like this new web-based platform allows to achieve that goal in a more direct and accessible way than ever before.  Safety is an essential consideration in our current environment, so we are pleased that we can offer this important conference to caregivers virtually.”

There will be an additional $75.00 respite reimbursement available for those caregivers attending the virtual conference, for caregiving services utilized the day of the conference. For more information please contact Lorey Esquibel, Operations Director, 505-404-9834 or lesquibel@alz.org.  

Today, 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease.  By 2050, the total number is expected to rise to nearly 14 million.* 

More than 16 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. In 2019, caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias provided an estimated 18.6 billion hours of unpaid assistance, a contribution to the nation valued at $244 billion.

Currently, there is no prevention, proven treatment or cure for Alzheimer’s.

Adapting to the current COVID-19 crisis, the Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter is continuing their mission by offering many free resources electronically.

Below is a sampling of online resources for families facing dementia:

For the latest in free NM Chapter programs and webinars, visit:

https://www.alz.org/newmexico/helping_you/nm_classes  
 
For general information on COVID-19 issues as they relate to dementia and caregiving, visit COVID-19, Alzheimer’s and Dementia: What You Need to Know (Help Center): www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/coronavirus-covid-19  

Visit www.alz.org/training to access presentations like 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's or Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia - and more! Many with Spanish-language options!

If you need help, call us. Our 24/7 Helpline is available any time, day or night for support or information at 1 (800) 272-3900. 

We have five branch offices in the state: Albuquerque (Main Office), Santa Fe (Northeastern New Mexico), Farmington (Northwestern New Mexico), Roswell (Southeastern New Mexico) and Las Cruces (Southwestern New Mexico). Though our physical locations remain closed due to health concerns, all regional staff may be contacted by calling 1 (800) 272-3900. 

*Source for all statistics: The 2020 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report at www.alz.org/facts.  

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