COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted older adults and those living with dementia — Nevada experienced a 30% higher-than-average rate of dementia deaths in 2020. To encourage Nevadans to tend not just to their physical health but also to their brain health, the Alzheimer’s Association Northern Nevada and University of Nevada, Reno Extension will provide a four-part series entitled “Engage Your Brain” at no cost to the public. Starting in June, which is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, the program will continue on the first Thursday of the month through September.

“Extension is excited to expand access to much-needed brain health education for communities across Nevada through the partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association,” stated Holly Gatzke, Area Director, University of Nevada, Reno Extension.

More than 49,000 Nevadans are living with Alzheimer’s, with more than 48,000 family and friends providing 78 million hours of care. The goal of the new partnership is to reach all Nevada communities, regardless of geography, so the series will be offered simultaneously virtually and in-person at several of the county Extension offices throughout the state.

“The partnership with Extension will provide the best of both worlds for all Nevadans — access online from the comfort of home or in-person at county offices so lack of access to or discomfort with technology need not be a barrier,” stated the Alzheimer’s Association Family Care and Rural Outreach Associate Heidi Slater.

The series will include information about how to decrease the risk of dementia through healthy living, identify warning signs of Alzheimer’s, understand Alzheimer’s and all other dementia, and engage in difficult dementia-related conversations. The presentations will build on each other, but participants are welcome to join one session or all four.

The following presentations will be offered virtually throughout Nevada and live-streamed in-person at the following county Extension offices: Carson City/Storey; Churchill; Douglas; Elko; Nye County/Pahrump; Nye County/Tonopah; Washoe and White Pine.

• Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body: Tips from the Latest Research, Thursday, June 3 , 1 – 2 p.m. Register for Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body.
• 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s, Thursday, July 1, 1 – 2 p.m. Register for 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's.
• Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia, Thursday, Aug. 5, 1 – 2 p.m. Register for Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia.
• Dementia Conversations (Doctor Visits, Legal and Financial Planning & Driving), Thursday, Sept. 2, 1 – 2 p.m. Register for Dimentia Conversations.

For more information about the series, or to register for in-person attendance, contact University of Nevada, Reno Extension at 775-784-4848, option 4, or contact the local county Extension office.

For more information about Alzheimer’s and related dementia, contact the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900 or visit the Alzheimer's Association helpline website.