Alzheimer’s Family Center’s First Healthy Brain Fair a Resounding Success

Nearly 300 people attended Alzheimer’s Family Center (AFC) first Healthy Brain Fair, with one third of them taking advantage of AFC’s free memory screenings.

The Healthy Brain Fair was created to increase awareness in the local community about memory loss and the importance of being screened for it early and often. The fair also featured guest speakers who spoke on subjects pertinent to seniors. Teryn Clarke, M.D. discussed overmedication and its effects on seniors. Nora Escobedo, from the Family Caregiver Resource Center, hosted a fall prevention workshop. Cheryl Alvarez, Psy.D discussed memory loss and its symptoms. All three speakers presented to capacity crowds in AFC’s program room.

In addition, Silverado Memory Care Community offered a Virtual Dementia Tour. For seven minutes, participants experienced the life of a person with dementia through virtual reality goggles.

AFC also debuted its free memory screening program, where attendees participated in 15-minute memory screenings with qualified professionals. AFC will begin holding free memory screenings on a monthly basis beginning in January 2018.

AFC would like to thank its title sponsors, the Huntington Beach Council on Aging and Scan Foundation for sponsoring this first-time event. AFC would like to also thank the Fair’s additional sponsors, Orange County Caregiver Resource Center and the Alzheimer’s Association, and Merrill Gardens for offering a complimentary healthy lunch for guests.

About Alzheimer’s Family Center
Alzheimer’s Family Center (AFC) is Orange County’s only adult day health care facility dedicated exclusively to caring for dementia patients. AFC has a 37-year history of improving the quality of life of families challenged by memory loss, such as Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. Patients benefit through customized programming tailored to the needs of each individual, from the earliest to the most advanced stages of dementia. Families find respite from the demands of caregiving, and the assurance that their loved one is receiving expert memory care, delivered with dignity and respect.

Recent studies show that AFC makes a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of its patients. Our patients experience over 50% fewer falls and a 33% reduction in emergency room visits within 12 months of enrollment in AFC’s programs. As a result, AFC family caregivers find the responsibilities of caregiving to be more manageable when their loved ones are home, away from the center. AFC also provides family caregivers with support and referrals to manage the medical, emotional, and financial challenges of caring for a memory-impaired loved one.