Alzheimer’s Association Annual Dementia Conference: Making Connections

As the Baltimore area’s premier dementia conference for individuals, families and professionals, Making Connections is a comprehensive, full-day event featuring expert speakers providing the latest on Alzheimer’s research and practical information on Alzheimer’s care.

Mark K. Shriver will discuss his book A Good Man: Rediscovering My Father, Sargent Shriver, which is part memoir and part exploration of the true meaning of his father's legacy. Sargent Shriver was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2003. Mark, along with his four siblings, had to do what so many families do – watch as the person they knew and loved would deteriorate from this devastating disease. Mark’s books will be available for sale during the conference.

Dr. Dean Hartley, the Alzheimer’s Association’s director of science initiatives, medical and scientific relations, will discuss early detection and provide research updates.

Additional presentations will address home care for dementia patients, having the conversation about driving, assessing Alzheimer’s disease, legal and financial planning, working with health care professionals, stages of caregiving, and physical and functional activities for older adults with dementia.

Co-sponsored by the Maryland Department of Aging, Making Connections is expected to draw 300 people, including family caregivers, individuals with early-stage dementias and their care partners, acute and long-term care nurses, social workers, assisting living and nursing home administrators, geriatric care managers, and allied health professionals.

The Alzheimer’s Association, the world leader in Alzheimer’s research and support, is the first and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to finding prevention methods, treatments and an eventual cure for Alzheimer’s. For more than 30 years, the donor-supported, not-for-profit organization has provided reliable information and care consultation; created supportive services for families; increased funding for dementia research; and influenced public policy changes.