Brain Health, Alzheimer's and Dementia Educational Program
Gain knowledge. Practice caregiving skills.
About
The Alzheimer's Association, 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. All lectures will take place upstairs in the Patterson Conference Room.
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.
2026-27 Brain Health and Alzheimer's Education Series
Registration opens Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 12 a.m.
| MONTH | LECTURE TOPIC | Register |
|---|---|---|
| September | Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia | REGISTER |
| October | 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's | REGISTER |
| November | *Building Foundations of Caregiving | REGISTER |
| December | *Supporting Independence | REGISTER |
| January | Managing Money: A Caregiver's Guide to Finances | REGISTER |
| February | *Communicating Effectively | REGISTER |
| March | *Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior | REGISTER |
| April | *Exploring Care & Support Services | REGISTER |
| May | Awareness & Latest Research | REGISTER |
| June | Building Brain-Healthy Habits | REGISTER |
*Empowered Caregiver sessions
In partnership with the Alzheimer's Association. Click the image to learn more.
Partners for Healthy Living
Alise Liepnieks, MPH | Program Manager | Alzheimer's Association | Oregon & SW Washington Chapter
"The partnership between the Alzheimer’s Association and the Eugene Family YMCA strengthens our shared commitment to health, education, and community support. Together, we provide opportunities for individuals and families to learn about brain health, access vital resources, and connect with supportive networks. By offering educational programs and wellness activities, we empower community members to take proactive steps in maintaining cognitive health while ensuring that those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias have the tools and support they need. This collaboration not only enhances the YMCA’s mission of fostering healthy living, but also advances the Alzheimer’s Association’s goal of building a more informed, compassionate, and resilient community."
Lecture 1: Understanding Alzheimer's & Dementia
Date: Thursday, Sept. 10
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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 2: The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's
Date: Thursday, Oct. 1
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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 3: Empowered Caregiver: Building Foundations of Caregiving
Date: Thursday, Nov. 5
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Topic: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's
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 4: Empowered Caregiver: Supporting Independence
Date: Thursday, Dec. 3
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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 5: Managing Money: A Caregiver's Guide to Finances
Date: Thursday, Jan. 7
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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: Communicating Effectively
Date: Thursday, Feb. 4
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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 7: Empowered Caregiver: Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior
Date: Thursday, Mar. 4
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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 8: Empowered Caregiver: Exploring Care & Support Services
Date: Thursday, Apr. 1
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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.
Lecture 9: Awareness & Latest Research
Date: Thursday, May 6
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Description: Join us to learn more about the Alzheimers Association and the resources and services we provide. We are here to help. As the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research, the Association is committed to accelerating the global progress toward methods of treatments, preventions and ultimately, a cure. At Any Given Moment, discovery is happening...The Alzheimers 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 10: Building Brain-Healthy Habits
Date: Thursday, Jun. 3
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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 cognitive health as we age. Join us to learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, 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.
