A week after their Virtual Dementia Tour, the Beyond Dementia Coalition partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association’s Georgia Chapter to host the Dementia Symposium on Wednesday.
Senior Director of Programs and Services for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Georgia Chapter Jill Disney spoke about the turnout of the event.
“This is amazing turnout, especially for a first year event,” Disney said. “I think that really speaks to the need of the community here and the connections that already exist.”
The event featured opening remarks at Lakewood Baptist Church’s main chapel from the Beyond Dementia Coalition and the Alzheimer’s Association as well as an improv comedy sketch from Dad’s Garage.
Dr. Candace Kemp from Georgia State University joined via Zoom call to talk about the connection between the principles of improv and dementia care.
Afterwards, attendees were able to break out into various sessions to better understand dementia and dementia care featuring speakers from Emory University, Northeast Georgia Health System, and more.
Libby Dunahoo, who is the manager of advanced care planning at NGHS and on the board of the Beyond Dementia Coalition, was also set up at the event.
Dunahoo showcased the “Plan in a Can,” which features recycled tennis cans being used to put necessities and vital information for EMS into.
“What would you want to have with you? There's a medical form inside, it lets EMS know your medications, your allergies, your history,” Dunahoo said.
Advanced care planning allows patients to pick their caregivers as opposed to the legal route of next of kin.
“People struggle with talking about this,” Dunahoo said. “They think it’s a negative conversation and instead, we say this is a positive conversation.”
NGHS has a step-by-step guide online for filling out an advance directive here.
Senior Manager of Programs and Services for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Georgia Chapter Kim Franklin spoke about the need to spread awareness.
“We try to work within the community…to help bring services and more awareness like we’re doing here today with Beyond Dementia,” Franklin said.
The Alzheimer’s Association holds over 600 annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s events nationwide. In Georgia, there are 20 walks in 2024, with Gainesville’s walk on Oct. 5 and Gwinnett’s walk on Oct. 26.
They also have a helpline at 1 (800) 272-3900 that is available 24/7.
“The most common thing I hear is that they wish they knew we existed, that the Association existed with our services and with our help line,” Franklin said.
Dunahoo also noted the collaboration between organizations in the community.
“I'm working with all of those people through this, and I love to see the collaboration of how Beyond Dementia and the hospital… and other services are working together, so I think that's really special,” Dunahoo said.
