Redmond Senior Center, Partners in Care offer three-part Brain Health Awareness Month talks

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Redmond Senior Center is partnering with the leading Central Oregon hospice, home health, and palliative care provider Partners In Care to provide a three-part talk on brain health during the month of June.

June, which is Brain Health Awareness Month, is an important time to learn about brain health, tips that may help prepare for the future, and how to support a loved one who may be impacted with a form of dementia. Worldwide, more than 55 million people are living with Alzheimer's or another dementia.

Joelle Blanchard, the community education and outreach manager at Partners In Care, will be leading three different talks at the Redmond Senior Center focused on understanding dementia, caregiving for a loved one with dementia, and preparing for life in the future.

“Brain health is a topic that isn’t often talked about, but one that is very critical to understanding how to best prepare for the future if you or a loved one are affected by a form of dementia,” said Blanchard. “I’m looking forward to helping educate the community in partnership with the Redmond Senior Center on this important topic during Brain Health Awareness month.”

Brain health and dementia awareness classes are crucial for equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to better support loved ones facing dementia. This structured program aims to foster a supportive community and empower caregivers with the necessary resources to navigate the challenges of dementia. The classes offered are:

• June 12, 1 pm: “Caregiving for your loved one with dementia: Tips, Tools, and Tricks”
  • During this class, participants will learn effective caregiving strategies, including essential tips, tools, and tricks to enhance daily care for those with dementia.
• June 19, 1 pm: “Understanding Dementia: Types, Causes, and How to Get Help”
  • This class delves into understanding dementia, covering its various types, underlying causes, and available support options, ensuring participants are well-informed about the condition.
• June 26, 1 pm: “Preparing for life with dementia: Advance Directives, POLST, and more”
  • This final class focuses on preparing for life with dementia, emphasizing the importance of advance directives and Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST), providing a framework for making informed decisions about future care needs.

All classes are offered free of charge to community members, and all are invited to attend. Classes will be held at the Redmond Senior Center at 325 NW Dogwood Ave, Redmond, OR 97756. Specific questions about materials being presented during the class can be directed to Joelle Blanchard at communityevents@partnersbend.org. Questions about the Senior Center and other classes offered can be directed to James Morris at James@redmondseniors.org