Brain Health, Alzheimer's and Dementia Educational Program
Gain knowledge. Practice caregiving skills.
Presented in collaboration with the Alzheimer's Association.
The 2025-26 Alzheimer's Lecture Series will begin on Thursday, Sept. 4.
About
The Alzheimer's Assocation, in partnership with the Y, is offering 10 courses suited for both caregivers and general audiences. These no-cost, science-based educational programs are for those interested in brain health and dementia caregiving skills. They include questions and exercises to apply new learnings. The first five lectures (September through January) focus on general education, while the second five lectures (February through June) will aim to empower caregivers. All lectures will take place upstairs in the Patterson Conference Room.
(New) After the one-hour lecture, attendees are warmly encouraged to stay for a relaxed 30-minute social gathering—an opportunity to mingle, connect and continue the conversation.
In partnership with the Alzheimer's Association. Click the image to learn more.
2025-26 Brain Health and Alzheimer's Education Series:
| MONTH | LECTURE TOPIC |
|---|---|
| September | Awareness |
| October | Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body |
| November | 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's |
| December | Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia |
| January | (New) Managing Money: A Caregiver's Guide to Finances |
2026 Empowered Caregiver Series:
| MONTH | LECTURE TOPIC |
|---|---|
| February | Empowered Caregiver: Building Foundations of Caregiving |
| March | Empowered Caregiver: Supporting Independence |
| April | Empowered Caregiver: Communicating Effectively |
| May | Empowered Caregiver: Responding to Dementia Related Behavior |
| June | Empowered Caregiver: Exploring Care and Support Services |
Lecture 1: Awareness
Date: Thursday, Sept. 4
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Topic: Alzheimer's Assocation: Awareness
Cost: FREE
Description: Join us to learn more about the Alzheimer's Association and the resources and services it provides. The Alzheimer's Assocation is here to help. As the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research, the Alzheimer's Association is committed to acceleration the global progress toward methods of treatments, preventions and ultimately, a cure. At any given moment, discovery is happening...The Alzheimer's Association has been instrumental in advocating for increases in federal funding of research, which allows for more researchers to get funded, and accelerate scientific discoveries. Join us to learn about the latest research in Alzheimer's disease and all other dementia.
The Alzheimer's Association® offers a range of caregiver skill-building courses. Each course includes questions to check existing knowledge and exercises to apply new learnings to personal caregiving situations. The courses aim to help caregivers feel more prepared to handle the challenges that come with caring for someone living with dementia.
Lecture 2: Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body
Date: Thursday, Oct. 2
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Topic: Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body
Cost: FREE
Description: For centuries, we have known that the health of the brain and the body are connected. Now, science is able to provide insights into how to optimize our physical and congnitive health as we age. Join us to learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, excercise, cognitive activity and social engagement. Participants will receive a workbook with hands-on tools to incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging.
The Alzheimer's Association® offers a range of caregiver skill-building courses. Each course includes questions to check existing knowledge and exercises to apply new learnings to personal caregiving situations. The courses aim to help caregivers feel more prepared to handle the challenges that come with caring for someone living with dementia.
Lecture 3: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's
Date: Thursday, Nov. 6
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Topic: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's
Cost: FREE
Description: This course helps caregivers recognize common signs of the disease in themselves and others and identify next steps to take, including how to talk to their doctor.
The Alzheimer's Association® offers a range of caregiver skill-building courses. Each course includes questions to check existing knowledge and exercises to apply new learnings to personal caregiving situations. The courses aim to help caregivers feel more prepared to handle the challenges that come with caring for someone living with dementia.
Lecture 4: Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia
Date: Thursday, Dec. 4
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Topic: Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia
Cost: FREE
Description: This course covers basic information on the difference between Alzheimer's and Dementia, stages, risk factors, research and FDA-approved treatments.
The Alzheimer's Association® offers a range of caregiver skill-building courses. Each course includes questions to check existing knowledge and exercises to apply new learnings to personal caregiving situations. The courses aim to help caregivers feel more prepared to handle the challenges that come with caring for someone living with dementia.
Lecture 5: Managing Money: A Caregiver's Guide to Finances
Date: Thursday, Jan. 8
Time: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (2.5 hours)
Topic: Managing Money: A Caregiver's Guide to Finances
Cost: FREE
Description: This course helps caregivers learn about the costs of caregiving and the benefits of early planning. The course will also cover how to avoid financial abuse and fraud, start conversations about finance, how to assess financial and legal needs, and how to find support. This course is open to all types of caregivers.
The Alzheimer's Association® offers a range of caregiver skill-building courses. Each course includes questions to check existing knowledge and exercises to apply new learnings to personal caregiving situations. The courses aim to help caregivers feel more prepared to handle the challenges that come with caring for someone living with dementia.
Lecture 6: Empowered Caregiver: Building Foundations of Caregiving
Date: Thursday, Feb. 5
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Topic: Empowered Caregiver: Building Foundations of Caregiving
Cost: FREE
Description: Building Foundations of Caregiving explores the role of caregiver and changes they may experience, building a support team and managing caregiver stress.
The Alzheimer's Association® offers a range of caregiver skill-building courses. Each course includes questions to check existing knowledge and exercises to apply new learnings to personal caregiving situations. The courses aim to help caregivers feel more prepared to handle the challenges that come with caring for someone living with dementia.
Lecture 7: Empowered Caregiver: Supporting Independence
Date: Thursday, March 5
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Topic: Empowered Caregiver: Supporting Independence
Cost: FREE
Description: Supporting Independence focuses on helping the person living with dementia take part in daily activities, providing the right amount of support and balancing safety and independence while managing expectations.
The Alzheimer's Association® offers a range of caregiver skill-building courses. Each course includes questions to check existing knowledge and exercises to apply new learnings to personal caregiving situations. The courses aim to help caregivers feel more prepared to handle the challenges that come with caring for someone living with dementia.
Lecture 8: Empowered Caregiver: Communicating Effectively
Date: Thursday, April 2
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Topic: Empowered Caregiver: Communicating Effectively
Cost: FREE
Description: Communicating Effectively teaches how dementia affects communication, including tips for communicating well with family, friends and health care professionals.
The Alzheimer's Association® offers a range of caregiver skill-building courses. Each course includes questions to check existing knowledge and exercises to apply new learnings to personal caregiving situations. The courses aim to help caregivers feel more prepared to handle the challenges that come with caring for someone living with dementia.
Lecture 9: Empowered Caregiver: Responding to Dementia Related Behaviors
Date: Thursday, May 7
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Topic: Empowered Caregiver: Responding to Dementia Related Behaviors
Cost: FREE
Description: Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors details common behavior changes and how they are a form of communication, non-medical approaches to behaviors and recognizing when additional help is needed.
The Alzheimer's Association® offers a range of caregiver skill-building courses. Each course includes questions to check existing knowledge and exercises to apply new learnings to personal caregiving situations. The courses aim to help caregivers feel more prepared to handle the challenges that come with caring for someone living with dementia.
Lecture 10: Empowered Caregiver: Exploring Care and Support Services
Date: Thursday, June 4
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Topic: Empowered Caregiver: Exploring Care and Support Services
Cost: FREE
Description: Exploring Care and Support Services examines how best to prepare for future care decisions and changes, including respite care, residential care and end-of life care.
The Alzheimer's Association® offers a range of caregiver skill-building courses. Each course includes questions to check existing knowledge and exercises to apply new learnings to personal caregiving situations. The courses aim to help caregivers feel more prepared to handle the challenges that come with caring for someone living with dementia.
