MOSES LAKE — The local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will sponsor a workshop to help caregivers and families understand dementia-related behavior from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 22 at Samaritan Hospital, 801 E. Wheeler Rd.

The meeting will be in Room 407 on the hospital’s fourth floor. It’s open to the public and is free of charge.

Attendees are also eligible for continuing education credits. People who want the continuing education credits will be charged a $20 fee for two credits.

“Behavior is a powerful form of communication and is one of the primary ways for people with dementia to communicate their needs and feelings as the ability to use language is lost. However, some behaviors can present real challenges for caregivers to manage,” according to a press release from the Alzheimer’s Association.

The presentation will talk about ways to determine what different behaviors mean, identifying things that trigger certain behaviors, and ways to help alleviate some of the common behaviors. The emphasis is in showing caregivers and family members what works when they want to communicate with an Alzheimer’s patient.

People who want to register, or who want more information can call 800-572-4459, ext. 229, and ask for Pam.

Officers of the local Alzheimer’s chapter are discussing the possibility of moving the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s to a new location.

This will be the fifth year for the fundraiser, traditionally scheduled in September. For 2018 the Alzheimer’s walk is scheduled for Sept. 15.

The first four fundraisers have been held on Yonezawa Boulevard. The new location, if there is one, is still to be determined, said Carrie McBride, director of communications for the Washington chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Previous fundraisers brought out people who have direct experience with the disease. A mom who worked in finance lost the ability to balance her checkbook. A mom who spent most of her time with her family couldn’t remember them. A supportive grandfather forgot his grandchildren.

A speaker at the 2017 fundraiser called Alzheimer’s relentless, and the title of a documentary summed it up for another speaker, who called it “the longest loss.”

The Alzheimer’s Association works to provide support for patients and their families, raise money for research and to increase awareness about the disease.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].