According to the National Institute of Aging, Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. It is the most common cause of dementia in older adults. While dementia is more common as people grow older, it is not a normal part of aging.
Today many of us are affected by this disease in some way, whether through a personal diagnosis or a loved one who is battling the disease. More than 1,700 Oklahomans die from the disease each year. Among Oklahomans over the age of 45, more than 14% report that they are experiencing confusion or memory loss, and nearly 50% of them have not discussed the symptoms with their health care provider.
Garvin County OSU Extension Family and Consumer Science and First United Bank of Pauls Valley are partnering to present an educational series for Garvin County residents that will delve deeper into the disease and the issues surrounding it.
The series will be presented in seven weekly sessions held Tuesdays in March and April at First United Bank in Pauls Valley. The series begins March 8 and will cover the following topics: warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease (March 8), basics of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (March 15), effective communication (March 22), understanding the behaviors of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (March 29), healthy living for your brain and body (April 5), legal planning (April 12) and financial planning (April 19).
The sessions will be presented by Morgan Fitzgerald, MPH, of the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Fitzgerald works in the Chronic Disease Prevention Service and serves as the Oklahoma Healthy Brain Program Manager. She has been active in this realm of education for many years, serving as a community outreach coordinator, life enrichment coordinator for Prairieview Memory Care, before being named as the Oklahoma Healthy Brain Program Manager for the Oklahoma State Department of Health in April 2021.
First United Bank will be serving a box lunch during the presentations. Lunch begins at 11:50 a.m. and presentations will be from noon to 12:45 p.m. Seating is limited and social distancing will be in place. Seating is currently available for 15 participants. If the demand for participation exceeds available seating, additional arrangements for accommodations will be considered. The series may also be offered again in the fall.
There is no charge for the series, however First United does ask that you reserve your seating ahead of time so they may get an accurate count for the meal. If you are interested in the series, please feel free to contact Tracie or Melissa at the Garvin County Extension Office, 405-238-6681, or email tracie.mullendore@ okstate.edu.
