Social Well-being Resources

Alzheimer's Association Webinar Series

The Alzheimer’s Association will be hosting webinars to provide education on the warning signs of Alzheimer’s, how it interacts with Dementia, and how you can care for your brain and body now.

Attend this four-part series to learn about early detection, the impact of Alzheimer's and dementia in our community, how to approach the difficult age-related changes with loved ones, and how to make lifestyle choices to help keep our brains and bodies healthy as we age.

10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s: Aug. 23 | 1-2 p.m. (EST)
SEE RECORDING BELOW.

Understanding Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Sept. 6 | 1-2 p.m. (EST)
SEE HANDOUTS BELOW.

Dementia Conversations: Sept. 20 | 1-2 p.m. (EST)
SEE HANDOUTS BELOW.

Healthy Living for Your Brain & Body

For centuries, we’ve known that the health of the brain and the body are connected. But now, science is able to provide insights into how to make lifestyle choices that may help you keep your brain and body healthy as you age. Learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and use hands-on tools to help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging.

Healthy Living for Your Brain & Body Participant Guide
Healthy Living for Your Brain & Body Workbook

Understanding Alzheimer’s & Dementia

If you or someone you know is affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, it’s time to learn the facts. This program provides information on the impact of dementia in our communities, detection, causes and risk factors, stages of the disease, treatment, and much more.

Understanding Alzheimer's & Dementia Participant Guide

Dementia Conversations

When someone is showing signs of dementia, it’s time to talk. Often, conversations with family about dementia and changing behaviors can be challenging and uncomfortable. This workshop will offer tips on how to have honest and caring conversations with family members about topics like when to stop driving, going to the doctor, and making legal and financial plans.

Dementia Conversations Handout
Dementia Conversations Tip Sheet

Social Belonging and Confidence

Most of us remember how tough middle and high school could be in terms of your social life – and that was before what social media is today. As adults it can be hard to think back and remember that social acceptance or popularity is a genuine priority in children and adolescents’ lives. When something matters to young people, the adults in their life need to take it seriously – especially when it has real impacts on their health the way socialization does.

FACILITATING CONNECTION AMONG YOUTH

For Parents:

Be mindful of your own self talk.

Even if it doesn’t always seem like it, kids listen and pick up on the negative ways their parents talk about their own bodies, intelligence, and self in general. If it would hurt you to know your child is thinking the same thing about themselves, don’t say it in front of them (and work on it for yourself, too!).

Help set them up for social success.

You might feel helpless when it comes to their relationships with peers at school, but that’s not the only place to meet people their age. Don’t shame them for not having friends at school. Find other opportunities to connect them with peers – do you have coworkers with children their age? Are there neighborhood kids? What about local events, clubs, or classes?

Foster open communication.

Vulnerability begets vulnerability, so be open to sharing a bit about your feelings or struggles with them. Ask questions, be interested in their answers, and follow up with them so they know you genuinely care.

For School Personnel:

Establish a Classroom Community

Set expectations together – what values does this group have? What behavior is and isn’t okay in the classroom? While it’s the teacher’s responsibility to ensure a conducive learning environment, valuing the input of students sets the tone that the class is a team and you’re all here to support each other.

Help them meet people with similar interests.

Hear of a new book club starting up? Tell the student who you always catch reading at their desk. Have a few students who always turn in amazing art projects? See if they want to have a drawing meet-up during lunch one day.