Alzheimer's 'Warning Signs' session planned

The Alzheimer’s Association is offering “Know the 10 Warning Signs” at the Kalispell Senior Center at 40 11th St. W. in Kalispell from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 25.

Presented by Alzheimer’s Association Community Educator Thane Kraut, this free program will cover the following topics:

- Typical age-related changes.

- Common signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

- Tips for how to approach someone about memory concerns.

- Importance of early detection and benefits of diagnosis.

- Tests and assessments for the diagnostic process.

- Alzheimer’s Association resources

Additional free presentations are offered by phone and online.

There will also be Education by Telephone session on the following dates:

- Know the 10 Warning Signs —Tuesday, April 23, 2 to 3 p.m. Register by calling 800-272-3900. The call-in information is provided upon registration. Register by noon April 22.

- Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia — Friday, May 17, noon to 1 p.m. Learn about the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, the differences, disease stages, risk factors, current research and treatments available to address some symptoms. Register by noon Thursday, May 16.

- Effective Communication Strategies — Monday, June 3, 3 to 4 p.m. Learn to decode behavioral messages, identify common behavior triggers, and strategies to help intervene with the most common behavioral challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. Register by noon Friday, May 31.

In the U.S, 5.8 million individuals are living with Alzheimer’s and more than 16 million are serving as their unpaid caregivers. The disease is a global crisis that impacts many families in the Flathead area. Currently over 21,000 Montanans are living with Alzheimer’s and another 50,000 family members and friends are providing their care.