In this first issue of our e-newsletter in 2005, we are looking ahead to the wide variety of special events, programs, and conferences for people with Alzheimer's, family members, health care professionals and the public. We also are talking about what we've learned about Alzheimer research and Americans' attitudes about brain health in the past year, and about the Association's efforts to encourage Americans to maintain brain-healthy lifestyle habits and potentially reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Click on the links below to access the articles and resources in this issue.

Greater Illinois Chapter Conference / Program / Training Schedule for 2005
2005 is jam-packed with educational opportunities for family members of people with Alzheimer's, health care professionals and the public. Here's what's on tap in the coming months.

Conferences: 

• March 16―Out of the Shadows and Into Understanding―Half-day conference on Alzheimer's, legal issues, communication and behaviors, Forsyth, IL Click here for more information, to register,  or reserve your tickets online

Programs:  Click here for more information, to register,  or reserve your tickets online

Alzheimer's: Beginning to Cope―Overview of Alzheimer's, warning signs, research and caregiver issues

• March 15, Lombard, IL
• March 16, Chester, IL
• March 16, DeKalb, IL
• April 7, Schaumburg, IL
• April 13, Lake Zurich
• April 19, Springfield
• May 19, Norridge
• June 1, Olympia Fields
• June 14, Litchfield

Daily Challenges and Safety―A free family caregiver video series presentation

• March 31, Freeport, IL

Partnering With Your Doctor―A free family-education program to learn how to communicate with your doctor

• May 2, Lake Zurich, IL

How to Speak Alzheimer's―A free family-education program

• May 26, Belvidere, IL

Mind Your Memory―For all ages. How the mind works, why we forget, normal age-related memory changes, memory enhancement techniques.

• February 15, Lombard, IL
• March 31, Norridge, IL
• April 2, Elk Grove Village, IL
• April 12, Freeport, IL
• April 21, Marion, IL
• April 29, Effingham, IL
• June 9, Rockford, IL
• June 16, Lake Zurich, IL

Making Sense of Memory Loss―A five-week series for families effected by early stage memory loss.

• April 6, 13, 20, 27 and May 4, Barrington, IL

Training: 

Illinois Dementia Care Training: Train the Trainer Program―Workshop for participants to get information, techniques and tools to present four in-services to direct care staff who work with dementia

• March 3, Lincolnshire, IL
• March 23, Tinley Park, IL
• April 14, Springfield, IL
• June 1, DeKalb, IL

Click here for more information, to register,  or reserve your tickets online

Tee-riffic Support for Alzheimer's Awareness, Association Programs
Alzheimer's and hospice care. Staff at VITAS Innovative Hospice Care ® of Chicagoland South in Matteson believe hospice care suits people with Alzheimer's to a "T" and has collected 1,836 signatures on tee-shirts while spreading the word about Alzheimer's disease as it relates to hospice care. Each signature represented a $1 donation by VITAS to the Greater Illinois Chapter and was an opportunity to educate physicians, nursing home and staff, social services staff, family members―even the janitorial staff―about hospice-appropriate care for people with Alzheimer's.

1,836 signatures on tee-shirts equaled a $1,836 donation from VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Chicagoland South to the Greater Illinois Chapter. Presenting the check to G. Kent Barnheiser, chapter president & CEO, are VITAS' marketing and admissions team (from left): Jill Cooper, Vernice Johnson-Warren, Kimberly Williams-Brewer, Katrina Agnew, Barbara Barron, Debbie Morse-Joyce and Rebecca Norman.

Join us in Washington, DC to Raise Alzheimer Awareness, Broaden Support Base
We invite you to participate in the Alzheimer’s Association’s 17th Annual Public Policy Forum, April 30 – May 3 in Washington, DC, and join advocates nationwide to let our legislators know more about the impact of  Alzheimer’s, that we need their support and that by working together we can win the fight against Alzheimer’s!  Click here for more information

Alzheimer’s Association Launches "Think Ahead" Public Service Announcements As Newest Element of the Maintain Your Brain™ Consumer Education Campaign
Be on the lookout for public service announcements (PSAs) encouraging Americans to "Think Ahead" to help reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s disease.  Click here for more information

The Survey Says – Many Americans Worried About Brain Health, But Only Half Keep Their Brains Fit  Association’s "Maintain Your Brain™" campaign encourages brain-healthy lifestyle habits.  Click here for more information

World’s Leading Dementia Researchers Report Progress in Alzheimer’s
The accelerating pace of research into prevention methods, causes, treatments and a possible cure for Alzheimer’s disease was covered during the 9th Annual International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (ICAD), presented by the Alzheimer’s Association in July 2004 in Philadelphia.  Click here for more information

Mental Aerobics Help You Puzzle Your Way to Brain Health
Speakers at the Alzheimer’s Association Education Conference in July 2004 reinforced the connection between an active intellectual life and reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s. 
Click here for more information

Illinois Taxpayers Can Donate to Disease Research Funds
Illinois taxpayers can contribute $1 or more to special research funds to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and other diseases when filing their 2004 state income tax returns.  Click here for more information

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