Brain Camp Session One: The Basics of Dementia

Few things are more frightening for people than Alzheimer's/dementia. The thought of losing one's memory and cognitive abilities goes to our very sense of ourselves. Who are we without our thoughts and our memories?

Fortunately, the news is not as grim as our culture would have us believe. There is hope in the areas of prevention and treatment.

Empower yourself with information in Brain Camp! This four-part series covers everything you need to know about Alzheimer's/dementia, including how to reduce your risk, how to live with dementia, how to care for a loved one who is living with it, and how to consider the latest treatment options. This series is co-presented with the Multidisciplinary Center on Aging at CU Anschutz and Dementia Friendly Denver.

In this first session, we will begin by exploring the hope and optimism surrounding the latest promising research and news regarding prevention and treatment. We will review federal dementia funding and legislation progress. We will then cover aging milestones, typical age-related cognitive changes, reversible conditions that mimic dementia, and define mild cognitive impairment. We will learn about the various types of dementia and gain a thorough understanding of the most common type, which is Alzheimer’s disease. We will review symptoms, medications, and information regarding the first treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. We will close by exploring the pathology of dementia to better understand the brain and its functions. The session will include plenty of opportunities for robust Q&A and discussion. 

This series will be led by JJ Jordan of Dementia Friendly Denver. 

• Session One: The Basics of Dementia, Thursday, June 1, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Session Two: The More You Know, Thursday, June 8, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Session Three: Communication, Interaction, and Behaviors, Thursday, June 15, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Session Four: Preparing for Care, Thursday, June 22, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Registration is required. This is a virtual program and will not be recorded. You will receive the Zoom link after you register. If you have any questions, please reach out to Amy at adelpo@denverlibrary.org.