Mike Splaine and Kate Gordon Teaching Innovative UMass Online Policy Course
This unique online course is available to anyone in the community who is interested in dementia policy — advocates, staff of advocacy and community organizations, and members of provider organizations who are seeking to better understand the policy process.
- Explain the need for a global/national/subnational action plan with a public health response to dementia
- Compare national health and political systems and their structures in terms of financing, governing, and implementing dementia and brain health policies
- Develop effective communication with policy makers
Fee: $250 per participant (enrollment in UMASS not necessary, but you must pay UMASS to enroll in this particular course)
Description:
National, state/regional and local governments are paying more attention to the problem of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, frequently designating staff to facilitate dementia planning processes or implement programs. Forty-nine states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico have dementia plans and 7 states are updating plans that are 5 years old. Chile just became the 30th nation with a national plan. Also, the World Health Organization (WHO) has just established a target of all nations having a plan or substantial Alzheimer’s disease policy or program within a broader national policy frame such as a non-communicable disease plan in the next 5 years.
Highlights from Our Living Alone with Alzheimer’s Summits
Thank you to all who attended one of our first-ever Living Alone with Alzheimer’s Summits in April! The presentations, panel discussions, and conversations around supportive solutions for the approximately 1 million persons living alone with Alzheimer’s or dementia were both thought-provoking and meaningful — particularly when persons living alone with Alzheimer’s shared their firsthand experiences.
33rd International ADI Conference: Sponsorship Opportunities
As the global federation of Alzheimer’s associations, Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) works to raise awareness of dementia and build capacity across the world. ADI is proud to be hosting its 33rd International Conference at McCormick Place, Chicago from July 26-29, 2018 — directly following AAIC 2018 — and helping to bring together the largest number of dementia experts in one place. If you are interested in exhibiting at the conference, please take a look at their sponsorship prospectus, or contact Nikki Bayliss, Head of Development.
All delegates will pass through the exhibition hall, which will be the hub of the conference with poster presentations taking place, interactive exhibition spaces and catering served. This year will also see a new stream on Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, and there are some spaces still available in the Innovation Showcase, offering exhibitors the opportunity to present their product to delegates. Further information is available at www.adi2018.org.
What One Person Can Do: Advocacy Matters
In a recent McKnight’s Long-Term Care News editorial, Joe Franco, VP at LeadingAge, answers the question many advocates have asked: “Can I really make a difference?” As Franco writes, “Putting a face to aging issues is key to success.” And to that end, he offers four practical tips on making an impact as a hometown advocate.
New Brain Health Resources Available
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) released a 2018 update of its Brain Health Resource, which includes a PowerPoint presentation for professionals to use for educating older adults and adults with disabilities about brain health, plus a related handout for consumers.
- The PowerPoint presentation (PPT, 4.3MB) helps people learn how to reduce the risks related to brain health. This presentation addresses normal aging of the brain, threats to brain health, and healthy aging for the body and brain.
- A two-page handout (PDF, 1.7MB) for the consumer audience covers the basics of brain health.
- Additional materials can be found on ACL’s Brain Health webpage.
UPCOMING WEBINARS
May 17: “Family” Caregiving: The Frontline of Dementia Care
Nearly half of all caregivers who provide help to older adults do so for someone living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Who are these caregivers? What challenges do they face as Alzheimer’s progressively undermines cognitive and physical function? And, what can state public health agencies do to support both the caregiver and the person living with dementia? Join the Alzheimer’s Association on Thursday, May 17 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm ET for an interactive webinar on caregiving for people living with dementia and ways that state public health can support both populations. Please register in advance.