LONGMEADOW – The town of Longmeadow is on their way to becoming a dementia-friendly community, and the Alzheimer’s Association will soon be hosting an event in October to educate the public on the latest in Alzheimer’s research.

According to Public Relations Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association Ella Schwotzer, the AlzTalks event is something the Alzheimer’s Association has been doing for years in Massachusetts and New Hampshire communities annually.  Recent speakers include Dr. Robert Stern, Dr. Wendi Qiu, and Dr. Rebecca Amariglio.

The Alzheimer’s Association website states that of the estimated 5.5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s in 2017.  The website states that one in 10 people ages 65 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia.

“Alzheimer’s is our most urgent public health crisis and it is the goal of the Alzheimer’s Association to lead the way to a world without Alzheimer’s disease,” said President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association James Wessler in a release.  “As the Alzheimer’s Association continues to raise funds toward critical research, we know that much needs to be done in the community to educate the public to erase the stigma of this disease and help people get an earlier diagnosis.”

On Oct. 19 the third annual AlzTalks program will commence at Bay Path University.  This years talk will feature Jonathan Jackson, PH.D. a cognitive neuroscientist who investigates the genetic, neurological, behavioral, physiological and cognitive changes of normal aging as well as individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.  Jackson’s presentation focuses on the current research findings in early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

“This is an Association program we have held within the community of Longmeadow before, so it’s not necessarily in conduction with the new initiative in Longmeadow but it certainly supports a portion of the dementia-friendly community mission which is education within the community,” Schwotzer said.

The AlzTalks program is open to the public and is free, although it’s suggested attendee’s register prior to coming.  There will be a reception at 6:30 p.m. prior to the 7 p.m. presentation.  To register, call 800-272-3900.­­