June 24, 2005
According
to the Alzheimer's Association, more than 70 percent of people with Alzheimer's
disease live at home, where family and friends provide the majority of care.
To learn more about how to handle all stages of the disease, MGH employees,
family caregivers and health care providers gathered June 13 in the O'Keeffe
Auditorium to hear Joanne Koenig Coste (right) speak. A pioneer
in the field of Alzheimer's care and author of Learning to Speak Alzheimer's:
A Groundbreaking Approach, Koenig Coste discussed how to create a world
where persons with Alzheimer's disease can thrive and have opportunities
for success, and where their self-esteem can remain intact.Some who attended the event noted afterward, “I know I'm not alone” and “Koenig Coste was wonderful. She spoke with such depth of feeling.” The event concluded with a book signing.
The MGH Senior Health Family-Caregiver Support program sponsored the event. The goal of the support program is to address the emotional, social and resource needs of older adults and their family caregivers.