While the on-going coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic still threatens the health of millions in this country and around the world, it continues to create additional challenges for people living with Alzheimer's and all dementia, their families and caregivers, including 150,000 in Georgia and their estimated 540,000 caregivers.

In a continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter will provide a new free virtual program - Stress Management and Self Care During COVID-19. The virtual workshop will provide dementia caregivers and their families’ information and education about typical stress reactions brought on by the pandemic, helpful coping strategies, and available related resources.  The program is scheduled for Tuesday, December 8 and is in partnership with the Georgia Department of Behavior Health. 

To register for Stress Management and Self Care During COVID-19, visit https://bit.ly/36oCV3G or call 800-272-3900. 

In addition, the Georgia Chapter will be offering a free virtual education program “Tips for Caregivers During the Holidays”, a program designed to help caregivers manage the holidays and help provide a less stressful environment for families of loved ones living with dementia. 

To register for the “Tips For Caregivers During the Holidays” class, visit https://bit.ly/39t7IxX or call 800-272-3900

The Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter are continuing to offer free virtual education programs and online support groups to help all Georgia caregivers and their families. Launched in early April in response to the impact COVID-19 was having on those affected by dementia, the Alzheimer's Association now offers a number of education programs that can help those living with Alzheimer’s and their families understand what to expect so they can be prepared to meet the changes ahead.

Other free education programs in December include: Effective Communication Strategies, 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's, Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia, Legal & Financial Planning and Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body.

Each virtual education program is approximately one hour to one and one half hours and allows the audience to ask questions and engage with others going through the journey online.  

Attendees are invited to join via video/webinar or through a toll-free number. There is no charge to participate, but registration is required. For a complete list of upcoming virtual programs or to register for a class, visit https://alz.org/georgia/helping_you/education_programs or call 800-272-3900. 

Participants will be sent conferencing details prior to the date of each virtual program.

More than 16 million family and friends, including 540,000 in Georgia, provide unpaid care to people with Alzheimer's or other dementias in the United States. To help family caregivers navigate the current complex and quickly changing environment, the Alzheimer’s Association has also offered additional guidance to families at alz.org/covid19help.

For more information, visit alz.org/georgia or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900. 

Additional Facts and Figures: (http://www.alz.org/facts/)

• Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.

• More than five million Americans are living with the disease, including 150,000 Georgia residents — a number estimated to grow to as many as 190,000 by year 2025.

• More than 16 million family and friends, including 540,000 in Georgia, provide unpaid care to people with Alzheimer's or other dementias in the United States.

• In 2019, friends and family of those with Alzheimer’s in Georgia provided an estimated 615 million hours of unpaid care, a contribution valued over $8 billion.