BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID;X-RICAL-TZSOURCE=TZINFO:-//com.denhaven2/NONSGML ri_cal gem//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN VERSION:2.0 BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:Help is on its way in for Family Caregivers in the Lehigh Val ley \;\n\nThere are approximately 25\,000 people in the Lehigh Valle y diagnosed with Alzheimer&rsquo\;s Disease.\nThere are over 5.4 million people diagnosed with Alzheimer&rsquo\;s Disease in the United States - by 2050 the number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer&rsquo\;s disease is expected to increase to over 15 million.\nEvery 68 seconds\, someone in this country is diagnosed with Alzheimer&rsquo\;s disease.\nAlzheimer &rsquo\;s disease is now the 6th leading cause of death in this country. It is the 5th leading cause of death for those over the age of 65. \nSi nce 2006\, deaths from Alzheimer&rsquo\;s disease have risen by 66% whil e deaths from other major disease have dropped. Alzheimer&rsquo\;s disea se is the only cause of death in the top ten causes of death in this cou ntry with no way to cure\, prevent or even slow the process of the disea se.\nApproximately 70% of the people caring for a loved one with a demen tia diagnosis have clinically significant symptoms of depression. Caring for persons with dementia is reported to impact a person immune system for up to 3 years after their caregiving experience ends\, thus increasi ng their chance of developing a chronic illness themselves.\nIf Alzheime r&rsquo\;s caregivers were the only residents of a single state\, it wou ld be the 5th largest state in this country\nIn this country\, there are over 15 million caregivers. In 2011\, those caregivers provided over 17 billion hours of care &ndash\; valued at 210 billion dollars.\n\nThe fa milies in the Lehigh Valley who are living with Alzheimer&rsquo\;s disea se and other forms of dementia need help now. &ldquo\;So many families s truggle to find information and education about where to turn for help f or their loved one and where they can turn for help for themselves. Cari ng for a loved one with dementia can be an isolating experience at exact ly the time when caregivers most need the support.&rdquo\;\, says Karen Francis\, CDP-Admissions &\; Marketing Director at Arden Courts Memor y Care Community in Allentown\, who recognized the need for this event i n the Greater Lehigh Valley\, Berks and Pocono Area.\nThe Lehigh Valley Caregiver Conference will be an entire day of education from the area&rs quo\;s top experts in the field of geriatrics\, neurology\, dementia car e\, eldercare law including the Area Office of Adult and Aging Services and the Alzheimer&rsquo\;s Association. Area resources\, the types of ca re available\, how to advocate for your loved one\, how to manage sympto ms and behaviors and what our government is doing to help at the state a nd federal levels are just some of the topics that will be presented. Th e conference is open to family caregivers\, direct care workers\, nurses \, social workers and other health care professionals. If a family careg iver needs care for a loved one the day of the conference\, SarahCare wi ll provide respite care that day at a reduced rate. This is a non-profit event. Any proceeds collected over the cost will be donated to the Lehi gh County Senior Center with a portion going to the Alzheimer&rsquo\;s A ssociation to create a grant for respite care for families of the Lehigh Valley.\nThe Lehigh Valley Caregiver Conference will be held June 8th f rom 8AM-4PM at the Best Western located at 300 Gateway Drive Bethlehem\, PA. For more information\, please call Judith Stanczak at 610-782-3094 or Karen Francis at 610-366-9010. URL:http://bethlehem.patch.com/events/lehigh-valley-caregiver-conference SUMMARY:Lehigh Valley Caregiver Conference LOCATION:Best Western: 300 Gateway Dr\, Bethlehem\, PA END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR