Portland-Area Residents Invited to Free Alzheimer’s Educational Conference on March 18th Sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

Sessions during the AFA conference will include:

From Normal Aging to Dementia: How the Brain Changes and Why Early Detection Matters

As we age, our brains naturally change—some changes are normal and others are abnormal. But when do these changes signal something more serious?  Dr. Kevin Duff will review the differences between normal age-related brain changes and abnormal ones caused by dementia-related illnesses, as well as provide evidence-based tips for maintaining brain health and cognition. He will also highlight the critical benefits of early detection and intervention, including how timely action can improve outcomes, delay progression, and enhance quality of life.

Dr. Duff is a board‑certified clinical neuropsychologist and Professor in the Department of Neurology at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).  He also serves as a clinical and research leader at the Oregon Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, focusing on cognitive disorders in later life, including Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Communication that Connects: Speaking with Someone Living with Dementia 

As dementia-related illnesses progress, they can change a person’s ability to express themselves and understand others, causing frustration and emotional stress for both the individual living with dementia and their family caregivers. Dr. Vicki Schmall will discuss these impacts and teach practical, empathetic techniques to help reduce frustration, preserve dignity, strengthen emotional connection, and improve quality of life for the individual living with dementia, their families, and caregivers.

Dr. Schmall is the Executive Director and Gerontology & Training Specialist with Aging Concerns in West Linn, Oregon. She is also Professor Emeritus of Oregon State University, where she worked for nearly 25 years.

Legal Financial Planning for Long-Term Care in Oregon 

Planning for long-term care can feel overwhelming, especially when a loved one is living with Alzheimer’s disease or another serious medical condition. Garvin Reiter will provide practical guidance about legal and financial planning considerations specific to Oregon to help families make informed plans to legally protect assets and ensure access to appropriate care. He will review recent developments in Oregon law that impact long-term care and asset protection planning, and explain key legal tools used to manage financial and personal affairs, such as powers of attorney, trusts, and advance planning strategies.

Mr. Reiter is a certified elder law attorney in the Law Offices of Nay & Friedenberg, LLC.  He has specialized in elder law for 25 years working on public assistance benefits planning, special needs planning, guardianship, conservatorship, trust administration, probate and estate planning, with an emphasis on legal issues faced by the elderly and individuals with disabilities.

For more information or to register for the free March 18 conference in Portland, visit www.alzfdn.org/tour. Those who cannot participate in the conference or have immediate questions about Alzheimer’s disease can connect with licensed social workers seven days a week through AFA’s Helpline by calling 866-232-8484, texting 646-586-5283, or web chatting at www.alzfdn.org by clicking the blue and white chat icon in the right-hand corner of the page. The web chat and text message features are available in more than 90 languages.