Alzheimer’s Association News:ALBUQUERQUE ― The Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter is very pleased to announce the 6TH Annual Professional Conference: “Breaking Down Barriers,” co-sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter and the University of New Mexico Memory and Aging Center.
The two-day event is May 18-19 in Albuquerque at the Embassy Suites, 1000 Woodward Place NE. Healthcare Professionals from all communities in the state are highly encouraged to attend. CEU’s & CME’s will be offered. Seating is limited, contact the Alzheimer’s Association now to register: Brittany Arneson: (505).266.4473 or barneson@alz.org .
The conference is designed for healthcare professionals, aspiring healthcare professionals and anyone interested in the latest cutting-edge information and best practices with regard to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
A full program of highly informative sessions will include a keynote address on “White Matter Dementia”, presentations on Understanding the Disease, Approaching Vulnerable Populations and Sensitivity Training, Enhancing Life Through Adaptive Technologies, Compassion Fatigue, Importance of Advocacy and Rapid-fire Research Presentations; all provided by respected experts in their fields.
The event is co-sponsored by UNM’s Memory and Aging Center, and features presentations by: Keynote Speaker Christopher Filley, MD (University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Group); Janice Knoefel, MD, MPH (UNM Memory & Aging Center); Steven Verney, PhD; (UNM Department of Psychology) Nancy Oriola, LISW, NMG, CPF (Decades Group Eldercare Services); Jane Chung, PhD, RN (UNM College of Nursing); Rick Vinnay, LISW, CEAP (The Solutions Group); John Adair, MD (UNM Memory & Aging Center);; Gary Rosenberg, MD (UNM Memory & Aging Center); Gary Girón (Alzheimer’s Association, NM Chapter); Glenn Dempsey, MD (ABQ Neuroscience); Vince Calhoun, PhD (The Mind Research Network); Chuck McClatchey (Alzheimer’s Association Early Stage Advisory Group); Chris McCaffrey (Alzheimer’s Association, NM Chapter, Roxroy Reid, PhD, LISW (NM State Board of Social Work Examiners) and Lena Simth-Ernst, PhD (Retreat Heathcare).
“We are proud of our partnership with UNM’s Memory and Aging Center in presenting this conference,” says Gary L. J. Girón, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association, NM Chapter. “Whether it’s through research or promotion of best practices, we are in philosophical agreement that by breaking down barriers in the public perception of Alzheimer’s disease, we can achieve better overall outcomes for those affected.”
The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is growing – and growing fast. Today, 5.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including an estimated 200,000 under the age of 65. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the US, and nearly two-thirds of those with Alzheimer’s disease – 3.3 million – are women. Nearly one in every three seniors who dies each year has Alzheimer’s or another dementia*.
Every 66 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s dementia. By 2050, someone in the United States will develop Alzheimer’s dementia every 33 seconds. By that same year, as many as 16 million will have the disease.
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s.
Dementia is one of the costliest conditions to society. The cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is estimated to total $259 billion in 2017, increasing to $1.1 trillion (in today’s dollars) by mid-century.
Total payments in 2017 for all individuals with Alzheimer’s or other dementias are estimated at $259 billion. This cost is projected to increase to $1.1 trillion (in today’s dollars) by 2050.
Alzheimer’s takes a devastating toll – not just on those with the disease, but on entire families. In our own state, 38,000 New Mexicans are suffering from Alzheimer’s. They are cared for by 106,000 unpaid caregivers, many of whom are members of their own families.
If you need help, call us: The Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter offers many free services and resources to caregivers and families facing the disease: support groups, care consultations, respite, educational presentations, safety programs, information and referral and more.
Contact any of our 5 branch offices in the state: Albuquerque (Main Office) (505).266.4473, Santa Fe (Northeastern New Mexico) (505).473.1297, Farmington (Northwestern New Mexico) (505).326.3670, Roswell (Southeastern New Mexico) (575).624.1552 and Las Cruces (Southwestern New Mexico) (575).647.3868.
You can also call our 24/7 Helpline anytime, day or night for support or for more information: 1-800-272-3900.
*Source for all statistics: The 2017 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report at www.alz.org/facts.
