Alzheimer's disease subject of Hospice Foundation's
satellite conference April 28 at LCC's De la Garza Building

 

The Hospice Foundation of America will offer a continuing education program on Alzheimer's disease April 28 at the De la Garza Building on the Laredo Community College campus. The program, which will be downlinked live via satellite, begins at noon and includes a complementary lunch.

ABC News correspondent Cokie Roberts will moderate the expert panel on the diagnosis, progression, and treatment of Alzheimer's and will also explore some innovative programs for patients and caregivers coping with grief.

The panel will also examine the challenges and opportunities that Alzheimer's disease presents to clinicians, caregivers, hospice workers, and policy advocates. The panel will discuss dementias other than Alzheimer's. After the satellite presentation, a panel of local experts will share information about resources in Laredo for Alzheimer's disease.

Entitled "Living With Grief: Alzheimer's Disease," Hospice Foundation of America's annual bereavement teleconference is available for continuing education credit for medical professionals and for all who are involved in the care of patients with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

The cost for CEU credit is $25, payable to the Hospice Foundation of America. Seating is limited for the conference, which is open to the public and continues until 3:30 p.m. For registration, call the Education Department at the Laredo Medical Center at 796-4250.

According to Sister Rose Tresp, the multidiscipliary panel of healthcare experts, which will reach a national audience of 125,000, will provide an educational and supportive forum to learn more about Alzheimer's disease, other dementia, and the ensuing grief and loss. Sponsors of the conference are Laredo Medical Center , Laredo Community College , and the Hospice Foundation of America. To learn more about this satellite broadcast, visit the Hospice Foundation of America web site at www.hospicefoundation.org.

The panel that Roberts will chair includes Kenneth J. Doka, PhD, College of New Rochelle; Parag Dalsania, MD, Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Lisa Gwyther, MSW, LCSW, Duke Medical Center; William Haley, PhD, University of South Florida; Richard Ham, MD, West Virginia University Center on Aging; Lin Noyes, RN, PhD, Alzheimer's Family Day Center; and Therese Rando, PhD, Institute for the Study and Treatment of Loss.

The teleconference is produced by Hospice Foundation of America, a non-profit organization working to educate health care professionals and the families they serve on issues relating to illness, loss, and grief. The program is sponsored by the Foundation for End-of-Life Care, in cooperation with the Adventist Communication Network, Alzheimer's Association, U.S. Administration on Aging, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.