The Twin Cities Jewish Community Alzheimer’s Task Force Presents:
KEEPING THE SPIRIT ALIVE – The Conference for Caregivers and Those Supporting a Loved One with Dementia
Featuring keynote speaker Dr. Vic Sandler, MD and emcee Jana Shortal
April 7, 2019, from 8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Beth El Synagogue (5225 Barry St. W., St. Louis Park)
FREE AND OPEN TO ALL!
For more information go to www.jfcsmpls.org.

The Caregivers Conference is designed to support caregivers and let them know that they are not alone on their journey. For caregivers, family members, lay leaders, clergy and professionals, the event provides practical approaches for caregiving, tactics to “take care of” the caregiver, plus educational and research updates about dementia, all through the lens of a Jewish perspective. The conference also provides information about community resources that are available.

This year’s keynote speech, Tough Decisions, will be presented by Dr. Vic Sandler, MD. In addition to the keynote speech, the conference will feature 10 breakout sessions led by experts from local legal, medical, religious and other fields. KARE 11 reporter Jana Shortal will emcee the conference and KARE 11 reporter Karla Hult will present the closing session, Heartbreak and Hope, about her family’s journey with Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Vic Sandler

One month after Dr. Sandler’s mother died of lung cancer, his father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Sandler understood the disease; he had cared for hundreds of patients with dementia during his over 20 years of geriatric medical practice. But in caring for his beloved father, he entered a new role – a son and caregiver for a man with dementia. As he watched his father decline and die over the next six years, he hoped his deep and abiding love for his father would give his dad a measure of peace and comfort. He will share his perspective as a devoted son and as a medical professional specializing in care for the elderly.

Dr. Sandler is physician board-certified in internal medicine, geriatrics, and hospice and palliative care. He currently serves as the Medical Director of Fairview Home Care, Associate Medical Director of Fairview Hospice, Co-Chair of University of Minnesota Medical Center Ethics Committee and President of the Minnesota Network of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Physicians.

Breakout sessions

In addition, the conference will feature two rounds of breakout sessions on a range of topics, including:

• “Navigating the Cost of Care”
• “Connecting with and Understanding your Loved One’s Communication and Behavior”
• “Put on Your Own Oxygen Mask First”
• “Tough Decisions: Medical & Ethical Choices”
• And many more!

A resource fair will be open throughout the conference as well.

This conference is free, but registration is required by March 22. Register online at www.jfcsmpls.org or call 952-417-2149. Brunch and snacks will be provided. Dietary laws will be observed. Certificates of attendance will be available upon request.

The Twin Cities Jewish Community Alzheimer’s Task Force is a committee of Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis (JFCS) and Jewish Family Service of St. Paul (JFS).

Caregiver Conference Sponsor: The Oren and Sharron Steinfeldt Foundation

Community Sponsors: Alzheimer’s Association, Beth El Synagogue, Hadassah Upper Midwest, Minneapolis Jewish Federation, Minnesota Rabbinical Association, NCJW/Mn, Sabes JCC, Sholom, St. Paul JCC, St. Paul Jewish Federation